^ 


COUNSEL  TO 
NEW   MISSIONARIES 

From  Older  Missionaries  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church 


Published  by  the 

Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church   in  the  U.  S.  A. 

156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City 

BV  1^^^ 


2091 
.P72 
1905 


Cibrarj?  of  Che  theological  Seminar;? 

PRINCETON  .  NEW  JERSEY 

FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
ROBERT  ELLIOTT  SPEER 


BV  2091  .P72  1905 

Counsel  to  new  missionaries 
from  older  missionaries  of 


^^ftX  OF  P%^ 


COUNSEL  TO 

NEW   MISSIONARIES 

From  Older  Missionaries  of  the 
Presbyterian  Clmrcli 


ez.X)y\^'\ 


)  V  I  ^  i 


;6>-r^\ 


Published  by  the 

Board  of  Foreig^ii  Missions  of  the 
Presbyterian   Clinrch   in  tlie  U.   S.   A. 

156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City 

1905 


PREFACE 

This  is  a  book  not  of  missionary  policy  but  of 
personal  counsel.  All  of  its  chapters  were  written 
by  experienced  missionaries.  There  is  some  inevi- 
table duplication,  but  very  little.  The  various 
chapters  deal  in  the  main  with  distinct  questions 
and  represent  such  a  wide  range  of  experience  that 
even  where  the  same  questions  are  considered,  it 
is  with  fresh  suggestiveness.  Each  chapter  is 
shaped,  of  course,  by  the  conditions  of  the  field 
in  Avhich  its  writer  has  worked,  but  this  enriches 
the  value  of  the  whole. 

No  attempt  has  been  made  to  present  an  exhaust- 
ive book  of  counsel,  but  the  Board  has  desired  to 
place  at  the  disposal  of  new  missionaries  some  of 
the  invaluable  experience  of  men  and  women  who 
knoAv  thoroughly  whereof  they  speak,  with  the 
hope  and  prayer  that  the  young  men  and  women 
now  going  out  to  the  field  may  be  helped  in  this 
way  to  be  better,  happier  and  more  fruitful  serv- 
ants of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 


CO^tfTENTS 

I.  The  Consciousness  of  Divine  Vocation^ 
hy  the  Rev.  Daniel  McGilvary,  D.  D., 
of  Laos 7 

II.  The  Kelation  of  the  Missionary  to  his 
Fellow-workers^  hy  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Lucas, 
D.  D.,  of  India 17 

III.  Missionaries  and  the  Language^   hy  the 

Rev.  Calvin  W.  Mateer,  D.  D.,  of  China. 
27 

IV.  The  Spirit  and  Methods  of  Evangeliza- 

tion, hy  the  Rev.  Hunter  Corhett,  D.  D., 
of  China 37 

V.  Pre-requisites  and  Principles  of  Evan- 
gelization, hy  the  Rev.  S.  A.  Moffett, 

D.  D.,  of  Korea 60 

VI.    The  Home  Life  of  Missionaries,  hy  Mrs. 

Helen  S.  C.  Nevius^  of  China 76 

VII.    Some  Counsel  to  Women  Teachers,   hy 
Miss  Hattie  V.  Noyes^  of  China.   . .   89 

VIII.  Observations  upon  Influences  affecting 
THE  Health  and  Efficiency  of  Mis- 
sionary Laborers,  hy  George  W.  Holmes, 
M.  D.y  fo7inerly  of  Persia 98 

IX.    Medical  Advice  to  New  Missionaries,  hy 
W.  J.  Wanless,  M.  D.,  of  India.  . . .   110 
X.    Special  Medical  Counsel  to  AVomen  Mis- 
sionaries, hy   Bertha   Caldioell,  M.   D., 

formerly  of  India 118 

XL    Sundry  Practical  Suggestions,  hy  the  Rev. 
H.  H.  Jessup,  D.  D.,  LL.B.,  of  Syria. 
124 


I 

THE    CONSCIOUSNESS    OF   DIVINE 
VOCATION 

Bjj  the  Rev.  Daniel  McGilvary,  D.  D.,  of  Laos 

46^i()ME  icords  of  counsel  for  our  neiv  missiona- 

^  riesF-  A  young  man  might  give  them  with 
confidence.  When  he  has  passed  his  seventy-fifth 
year,  he  will  do  it  with  diffidence.  The  most  start- 
ling chapter  would  probably  be  his  own  blunders 
and  mistakes,  but  probably  he  might  burj^  them. 
But  all  the  same  I  will  draw  as  largely  from  my 
own  failings  and  defects  as  from  my  successes, 
more  from  my  ideals  than  from  past  attainments. 

But,  first  of  all.  Jet  me  give  you  a  hearty  wel- 
come, and  most  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  your 
choice  of  your  life  work. 

My  first  advice  would  be,  like  the  Great  Apostle 
to  the  Gentiles,  ^'Magnify  your  office!'' 

We  shall  presume  that  your  choice  has  l)een 
made  after  deep  heart-searchings,  and  earnest 
prayer,  and  against  strong  temptation  to  other 
lines  and  fields  of  work.  Such  victories,  when 
gained,  are  likely  to  be  permanent.  They  give 
stronger  assurance  of  a  divine  call.  You  may  not 
be  many  years  in  most  fields,  before  the  enemy  will 
suggest  that  you  missed  your  calling.  Well  will 
it  be  for  you  if,  in  some  desponding  moments,  you 
be  not  tempted  to  wonder  if,  after  all,  you  might 
not  be  doing  more  good  if  preaching  to  your  own 
people  in  your  own  tongue  than  in  spending  use- 


Counsel    to    N  e  tv    M  l  s  s  i  o  ii  a  r  i  c  s 

less  years  iu  acquiring  an  uncouth  and  difficult 
language,  to  preach  doctrines  distasteful  to  those 
who  do  not  thank  you  for  coming.  No  Christian, 
much  less  a  Christian  missionarj^,  can  live  on  past 
experiences,  but  at  times  it  may  be  both  comfort- 
able and  wise  to  fall  back  on  them.  The  victory 
Avill  be  well  nigh  gained  if  you  can  confidently 
assert,  as  Bisliop  Thoburn  could  to  his  sister,  Avhen 
tempted  not  to  return  to  his  field  in  India,  "Yes, 
I  was  never  more  sure  of  anything  than  of  my  call 
to  India." 

You  will  find,  ni}^  brotlier  and  sister,  that  it  is 
a  heart  exp(M'ience  tliat  you  Avill  need  to  support 
you  in  a  life  work  on  a  foreign  field.  You  do  not 
even  have  the  romance  of  a  four  months'  voyage, 
in  a  small  brig,  with  poor  accommodations  and  a 
cross  captain,  as  many  of  your  predecessors  hail. 
True,  there  aiti  yet  to  be  found  some  unevangelized 
regions  wliere  you  may  still  be  many  months  with- 
out hearing  a  word  from  loved  ones  at  home. 
Should  you  b(^  called  to  be  a  pioneer  in  such  fields, 
let  me  assure  you  that  God's  gracious  promises  and 
pres(^nce  Avill  not  fail  you.  But  more  probably  it 
will  be  your  lot  to  work  in  fields  wliere  the  novelty 
has  worn  off,  to  do  the  hund)le  work  of  reconciling 
husbands  and  wives,  or  healing  dissensions  among 
Christians, — a  duty,  alas!  not  unknown  in  Chris- 
tian lands.  I  pray  you  to  bear  with  such  weak- 
nesses, and  be  not  too  much  discouraged,  if  necnled 
among  those  just  emerging  from  the  darkness  and 
breaking  the  chains  of  hereditary  weaknesses 
entailed  by  centuries  of  ignorance  and  supersti- 
tion. Some  of  you  are  physicians,  and  you  Avill 
not  be  surprised  to  find  the  binding  of  heathen 
Avounds  and  ulcers  noi  less  revoliing  to  sensitiA^e 

s 


Counsel    to    N  e  to    M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  \  c  s 

natures  than  Christian  wounds.  You  have  already 
learned  that  the  Master  was  sent  to  heal  the  broken 
limbs  as  well  as  the  broken-hearted.  Only  ease  the 
bodil}^  pains,  and  you  can  preach  any  doctrine  you 
please  to  the  sufferer. 

I  see  before  me  young  Ay  omen  from  refined  homes 
and  surroundings,  luxuriously  supplied  with  all  that 
ministers  to  taste  and  comfort.  Knowing,  as  you 
cannot  yet  know,  the  opening  fields  and  the  great 
work  awaiting  you.  Aye  bid  you  a  hearty  Ayelcome. 
You  may  liaA^e  your  sensibilities  tried  in  yisiting, 
as  I  trust  you  Ayill,  among  the  homes  of  poyerty 
and  Ayant.  You  Ayill  find,  as  the  Master  did  before 
you,  that  it  Ayas  the  common  people  Ayho  heard 
Him  gladly,  and  that  it  Ayill  be  from  among  them 
that  your  couAcrts  Ayill  largely  come.  When  Chris- 
tianity has  not  3^et  become  poj)ular,  you  Ayill  not 
be  surprised  that  not  many  mighty,  not  many  nobfe 
are  called.  But  I  remember  that  the  history  of 
Christian  missions  abounds  Ayith  numerous  exam- 
ples of  many  from  the  highest  stations  in  life, 
Ayho  liaye  adorned  tlie  rank  from  Ayhich  they  came, 
b}^  the  most  self-denying  seryice  on  foreign  fields, 
as  Ayell  as  in  home  lands.  The  stoop  from  the 
throne  aboA^e  to  the  manger  in  the  stable  puts  to 
shame  CA^ery  other  sacrifice  possible  or  conceiA^able. 
And  as  with  the  Master  so  Ayith  the  seryants,  Ayhen 
either  heayen  or  home  has  been  left  for  saying  the 
lost,  what  matters  it,  whether  Aye  find  them  in  huts 
or  in  palaces?  With  reyerence  be  it  said,  eyen 
Christ  Himself  Ayas  ncA^er  so  great  as  in  His  lowest 
humiliation.  ''Therefore  doth  my  Father  loye  me, 
because  I  lay  doAyn  my  life  for  the  sheep."  It  is 
the  Lamb  that  was  slain  that  is  worthy  of  all  glory 
and  honor,  dominion  and  power.     The  Master  was 

9 


C  o  u  n  s  c  J      to      N  e  tc      J/  /  s  s  i  o  it  a  r  i  c  s 

loved  for  His  sacrifice.  The  servant  is  honored  in 
following  His  steps.  And  I  intensely  realize  that 
no  otlier  ad\'ice  Avill  be  of  any  avail,  nnh^ss  yon 
have  brought  to  your  calling  an  exalted  idea  of 
its  dignit}^  and  responsibility.  If  you  haxo,  not 
much  more  advice  will  be  needed.  It  can  be  no  per- 
version of  Scripture  to  exhort  you,  to  give  all  tlili- 
(jcnce  to  make  your  calling  and  election  sure. 

It  can  have  none  other  than  a  salutary  effect  on 
you,  always  to  remember  that  you  are  Christ's 
chosen  ambassadors  to  preach  unto  the  nations 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  in  posts  of  great- 
est difficulty,  sometimes  of  danger,  always  of 
responsibility.  Of  all  the  foolish  attempts  ever 
made,  none  so  futile  as  the  attempt  to  overthrow 
the  kingdom  of  the  strong  man  armed,  in  his  own 
stronghold,  by  any  power  short  of  divine.  But 
he  was  seen  as  lightning  falling  from  heaven.  The 
cross  has  despoiled  principalities  and  poAvers,  and 
made  a  show  of  them  openly.  By  an  eternal  decree* 
in  the  counsel  of  eternity,  the  nations  have  been 
given  to  the  Son  for  an  inheritance  and  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth  for  a  possession.  He  shall 
see  of  the  travail  of  His  soul  and  shall  be  satisfied. 
That  is  the  divine  origin,  the  divine  authority  and 
the  divine  assurance  of  success  in  the  work  in 
which  the  Church  is  engaged,  and  in  the  labor  of 
which  and  to  the  honor  of  which  h(*  is  calling  you. 
So,  of  all  enterprises,  yours  is  the  most  certain.  It 
matters  not  to  what  race  you  go,  or  what  its  degree 
of  civilization  or  degradation.  Has  not  history 
wonderfully  confirmed  the  promise?  In  what  race 
of  people,  language  or  clime  has  a  missionary  sy)ent 
a  devoted  life  in  vain?  So  long  and  so  surely  as 
y^m  rely  on  the  word  and  promise*  and  oath  of  Cod, 

10 


C  o  It  n  s  e  J      to      N  e  w      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

there  can  be  no  failure.  Anything  else  will  prove 
a  refuge  of  straw.  I  have  often  wondered  what 
can  sustain  a  missionary  other  than  this  eternal 
counsel  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure,  that  Christ 
has  a  people  given  to  Him  in  every  land;  that  all 
that  hath  been  given  to  Him  shall  come  to  Him; 
and  that  him  that  cometh,  He  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out.  Will  that  assurance  cut  your  nerve  or 
strengthen  it?  Work  confidently  because  God 
works,  because  sure  of  success  and  sure  of  a 
reward. 

Nothing  could  malxe  the  external  call  stronger. 
It  comes  from  many  more  millions  of  men  to-day 
than  when  first  heard  in  Troas.  Come  over  and 
help  uSy  from  arctic  snoAvs  and  tropical  plains.  The 
iniuard  call  is  one  that  you  must  settle  yourself 
in  your  closet  with  your  open  Bible,  the  Divine 
Command,   and  a  lost  world  before  you. 

Presuming  that  you  have  settled  your  call,  and 
that  you  will  continue  to  give  all  diligence  to  make 
it  sure,  and  that  you  have  diligently  prepared  your- 
self for  it,  as  far  as  your  literary  and  theological 
course  can  prepare  you,  may  I  still  insist  on  one 
other  preparation  above  all  others f  And  remem- 
ber again  that  you  cannot  have  too  much  of  secular 
learning,  and  never  was  there  a  subject  to  which 
it  was  so  well  applied  as  in  making  the  cross  of 
Christ  plain  even  to  the  ignorant  savage.  Angelic 
tongues  cannot  do  it  justice.  But  remember  still, 
my  brother,  that  however  gifted  you  may  be  in 
speech,  how  manifold  soever  your  stores  of  learn- 
ing, yet  there  is  one  other  more  important  still. 
Even  the  divine  Teacher  Himself  did  not  enter  on 
His  Avork  till  He  was  baptized  with  the  Holij  Gliost. 
''For  their  sakes  I  sanctify  myself,  that  they  also 

11 


Counsel     to     New     M  l  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e s 

may  be  sanctified  through  the  truth."  And  if  a 
long  service,  in  the  work  on  which  you  are  entering, 
gives  me  any  right  to  offer  advice,  here  you  have  it 
in  a  nutshell,  first,  middle  and  last.  Go  as  the 
Master  did  in  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And 
if  I  were  assured  that  this  one  counsel  was  heeded, 
I  might  go  no  further.  The  adversary  may  not 
({uail  before  your  logic;  he  quails  before  your 
j)rayers  when  "he  sees  the  weakest  saint  upon  his 
knees."  He  would  doubtless  say  to  the  godless  mis- 
sionary, "Jesus  I  know  and  Paul  I  know,  but  who 
are  you?" 

In  the  request  for  this  paper  some  advice  drawn 
from  experience  in  long-]Drotracted  touring  was 
hinted  at.  But  then  circumstances  are  so  varied 
in  different  fields  that  what  would  apply  to  one 
would  not  be  appropriate  to  another.  My  expe- 
rience in  tropical  forests,  over  mountains,  on  ele- 
phants, or  on  foot,  Avould  be  of  no  service  to  Brother 
Egerton  Young,  on  his  dog-cart  sledges,  among  the 
Esquimaux  of  Baffin's  Bay  or  the  frozen  xTgions 
of  arctic  snow  and  ice.  But  the  consecration  that 
will  sustain  tlie  Moravian  missionary  in  Green- 
land, will  sustain  you  in  Africa,  Turkey,  Cliina, 
or  Laos.  And  it  is  alike  needed  in  all.  You  know 
that  it  is  characteristic  of  the  Saviour's  teaching, 
that  He  laid  doAAU  great  principles  that  are  to  guide 
our  lives,  as  distinguislied  from  Mohammed  or 
Buddha  and  all  ethical  teachers  who  gave  specific 
rules  ad  nauseam.  In  this  He  showed  his  omnis- 
cience. Boom  is  left  for  the  application  of  these 
rules,  to  meet  every  individual  case  in  every  con- 
dition and  station  in  life.  Had  He  taken  a  dilT'er- 
ent  course,  and  descended  to  particuhirs,  the  field 
w^ould  have  been  boundless  and  the  task  liopeless. 

12 


C  0  u  n  s  e  I     to     N  e  iv     Missionaries 

But  I  tcould  like  to  say  a  few  words  on  evange- 
listic toars  before  closing.  Whether  taken  in  boats, 
clog-carts,  or  on  elephants,  he  sure  to  take  them. 
Whether  your  work  be  in  large  emporiums,  trans- 
lating the  Scriptures  or  teaching,  it  Avill  be  to  the 
advantage  of  any  one  to  spend  two  months  of  the 
year  in  the  great  country,  its  towns  and  villages, 
visiting,  if  possible,  in  the  homes  of  the  people. 
I  believe  you  will  return  better  prepared  for  any 
kind  of  work.  Rusticating  will  be  a  change  from 
the  strain  of  other  work.  It  may  save  the  neces- 
sity for  a  home  trip. 

In  large  cities  you  see  tlie  conventional  man 
dressed  up  as  he  wishes  to  appear  to  one  whom  he 
is  waiting  to  fleece  or  outwit  in  a  bargain. 
Go  to  the  country  to  see  nature — man  as  he  is. 
There,  too,  you  will  hear  the  language  and  idioms 
spoken  by  the  great  body  of  the  people  who  must 
use  your  translations.  Whether  you  adopt  them 
or  not,  you  will  be  a  better  translator  thereby. 
For  the  best  work  in  translating  one  must  be  versed 
in  the  language  both  of  the  people  and  of  the  books. 
And,  last  but  not  least,  in  all  probability  it  is  there 
that  3^ou  will  find  most  of  God's  chosen  people,  his 
precious  jewels.  Jerusalem  was  the  capital,  but  it 
was  Galilee  where  our  Lord  spent  most  of  His  time 
and  from  which  He  gathered  most  of  His  disciples. 
If  you  will  excuse  a  personal  reference,  Chiengmai, 
the  Laos  capital,  is  neither  a  very  large  nor,  com- 
paratively, a  very  wicked  city,  and  altogether,  in 
thirty-seven  years,  I  have  spent  months  and  years 
in  laboring  in  it.  It  was  necessary  labor  and,  from 
some  standpoints,  not  unsuccessful.  Yet,  of  the  more 
than  fifteen  hundred  baptized  members  of  the  First 
Church  I  can  almost  "count  on  the  fingers  of  my  two 


Counsel     f  o     N  e  lo     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  "i 

hands  the  Christians  residing  in  the  limits  of  the 
citj^  proper.  And  I  would  not  be  surprised  if  some 
of  the  masters  and  rulers  there  have  received  their 
clearest  ideas  of  Christianity  from  their  depend- 
ents— Christians  living  in  the  country.  They  learn 
from  them  what  the  missionary  is  and  what  he  is 
doing,  and  in  them  see  Christianity  as  I  want  them 
to  see  it  in  its  power  over  their  own  people.  Said  a 
governor  of  a  large  province  once  to  me:    "If  all 

your  Christians  are  like I  Avould  wish  all  my 

peoi^le  to  become  Christians.^' 

But  no  fast  rule  can  be  laid  down.  Fields  are 
not  alike.  The  qualifications  of  the  workers  are  not 
the  same.  But  I  believe  you  will  not  make  a  mis- 
take by  spending  a  portion  of  your  time  in  the 
country  villages.  Take  a  small  district.  Become 
interested  in  the  people  themselves,  in  their  work 
and  their  children.  Note  the  names  of  those  most 
interested.  Pray  f(u^  them  and  repeat  the  visits. 
If  you  have  a  talent  for  remembering  names  and 
faces,  culUvaie  it.  People  like  to  be  recognized 
and  called  by  their  own  names.  I  have  lost  a  great 
deal  by  not  being  able  to  call  the  names  of  people 
that  I  ought  to  know.  Not  indirectly  connected 
with  this  is  the  question  of  our  general  bearing  to 
the  natives.  In  most  eastern  nations  you  will  be 
tempted  to  regard  them  as  your  inferiors.  But  do 
not  look  doAvn  upon  them.  "Behold,  God  is  mighty 
and  despiseth  not  any."  Put  yourself  in  their  place 
and  imagine  if  you  would  be  willing  to  be  converted 
by  a  man  avIio  treated  you  with  coiitc^npt.  The 
h)west  races  liave  some  traces  of  the  divine  image 
in  them  yet,  and,  after  all,  who  liath  made  us  to 
differ?     And,  as  Dr  Hodge  used  to  tcdl   us,  "the 


14 


C  o  It  II  s  e  1     t  o     N  e  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  ii  a  r  i  e  s 

difference  between  two  grains  of  sand  is  not  very 
great." 

But  I  have  alread^^  goiie  beyond  mj  limit,  and 
must  stop.  I  will  simply  mention  one  or  two  other 
points.  Dread,  above  all  things,  the  evils  of  dis- 
sensions in  your  own  body.  Stations,  possibly  mis- 
sions, have  been  rent  asunder  or  broken  up  by 
dissensions  among  those  who  have  left  their  homes 
to  teach  the  religion  of  love.  You  may  not  find 
all  your  associates  always  lovely.  Be  lovely  and 
loving  yourself.  It  is  not  always  the  clearest  eye 
that  sees  the  most  motes  in  the  brother's  eye. 

The  first  year  is  largely  devoted  to  study,  but 
not  too  exclusively.  It  is  a  mistake  to  have  nothing 
to  do  beside;  ask  for  some  work  that  you  can  call 
your  own.  Take  a  class  in  the  Sabbath  or  day 
school.  Begin  to  pray  by  learning  the  Lord's 
Prayer;  pronounce  the  benediction.  Do  soinething 
in  the  line  of  work.  The  longer  you  put  off  the 
beginning,  the  harder  it  will  be.  Pride  will  come 
in  at  last.  AVhat  is  to  be  your  demeanor  toward 
foreigners,  people  of  your  own  race?  Nowhere  is 
there  greater  need  for  sanctified  common  sense 
than  on  the  mission  field. 

In  everything,  by  prayer  and  supplication,  let 
your  requests  be  made  known  unto  God. 

I  will  let  you  find  out  for  yourself  the  fallacy  of 
your  preconceived  idea  that  it  must  be  very  easy 
to  live  a  holy  life  on  a  mission  field.  Every  condi- 
tion in  life  has  its  temptations.  In  every  one,  grace 
is  an  exotic.  Experience  has  shown  that  a  high 
degree  of  consecration  may  be  attained  in  all.  God 
is  to  make  all  grace  abound.  That  His  grace  may 
be  sufficient  for  you,  and  that  you  nmy  be  spared 

15 


Counsel     to     N  e  u'     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

to  do  a  great  and  useful  work,  is  our  prayer  for 
you  all. 

Studi/  the  Word — live  the  Word — q) reach  the 
TForcZ — disseminate  the  Wordy  and  read  Isaiah  Iv. 
10-11  for  the  result. 

May  the  Lord  make  you  to  increase  and  abound 
in  love  one  toward  another  and  toward  all  men. 
Broad  charity,  deep  sympathy  and  love  for  the 
people  are  very  essential  on  mission  fields. 


16 


II 

THE  RELATION  OF  THE  MISSIONARY  TO 
HIS  FELLOW-WORKERS. 

By  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Lucas,  D.  D.,  of  India. 

npHE  relation  of  missionaries  in  the  field  to  one 
-"-  another  is  close  and  intimate.  Now  and  then 
two  families  live  in  the  same  house,  although  this 
is  not  usual  nor,  as  a  rule,  wise.  In  the  same  com- 
pound may  be  found  two  or  three  mission  homes, 
and  thus  each  looks  largely  to  the  other  for  society, 
counsel  and  help.  In  the  mission  meeting  each  may 
have  a  vote  after  the  first  year,  and  thus  decide  and 
control  in  a  measure  the  work  of  others.  The  first 
question  concerning  the  new  missionary  on  his 
arrival  in  the  field  is  his  station,  and  out  of,  per- 
haps, half  a  dozen  places  his  home  is  fixed  for  the 
year  by  a  majority  vote;  and  at  every  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  mission  the  needs  of  a  station  or  an 
institution,  the  furlough  or  death  of  a  missionary, 
may  force  the  consideration  of  a  redistribution  of 
the  work.  It  takes  only  a  glance  at  all  this  to  see 
how  close  and  delicate  is  the  relation  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  same  mission,  and  how  much  need  there 
is  of  prudence,  tact,  wisdom  from  above,  and,  bet- 
ter than  all,  fervent  and  unfeigned  love  one  for  the 
other.  It  is  well  worth  while  then  to  ask  how  this 
union  of  missionaries  in  the  field  may  be  made  most 
helpful,  each  comforting,  strengthening  and  inspir- 
ing the  other. 

Let  us  settle  in  our  hearts  first  of  all,  that  we 

17 


C  (J  11  II  ,s  (■  I      i  it      N  c  u:      M  i  s  .v  /  o  ii  a  r  I  c  c^ 

have  not  been  thrown  into  this  close  fellowship 
in  service  by  cliance.  The  Lord  of  the  harvest  has 
brought  us  togetlier.  He  lias  given  gifts  to  each, 
as  seemed  best  to  Him:  one  to  plant,  another  to 
water,  while  yet  another  reaps  the  long  years  of 
others'  labor.  Eacli  has  his  part  to  do^  and  each 
is  needed  to  fill  (mt  tliat  wliicli  is  lacking  in  the 
other.  Tlie  Spirit  Himself  has  guided  the  steps 
of  each  to  the  mission,  of  which  he  is  now  a  mem- 
ber, and  given  gifts  to  each  for  the  good  of  all. 
If  we  train  our  hearts  to  think  of  our  fellow-mis- 
sionaries, as  sent  by  the  Spirit  to  work  Avith  us  and 
to  do  a  part  of  it  Avhich  none  other  of  us  can  do  so 
well,  we  shall  have  the  open  eye  to  recognize  and 
appreciate  his  gifts  and  Avork.  We  shall  be  kept 
from  thinking  lightly  of  his  services,  and  be  ready 
more  and  more  to  esteem  him  better  than  our- 
selves. And  thus  Avill  be  born  generous  respect 
for  one  another.  Without  this  our  tone  in  speak- 
ing to  others  may  haxe  this  note  of,  ^'I  have  no  need 
of  thee,"  and  Avhen  that  note  is  detected,  as  it  surely 
will  be,  the  heart  of  our  felloAv-Avorker  is  closed  to 
us,  no  matter  AAdiat  our  learning,  eloquence  or  zeal. 
Our  first  Avord  then  to  the  missionary  joining  a 
mission  circle  is,  not  to  cease  his  hunt  until  he  has 
found  in  each  of  his  felloAV-Avorkers  some  grace  or 
gift,  something  lovely  and  of  good  report,  and  to 
dwell  (m  these  things  so  constantly  that  true 
respect  and  hearty  appreciation  of  each  shall 
spring  up  in  the  heart  and  find  expression  from 
time  to  time.  Then  the  Avord  spoken  in  private  or 
in  mission  mcK'ting,  and  the  vote  folloAving,  Avhich 
may  defeat  some  cherished  plan,  Avill  leav(^  no  sting 
and  no  bitter  memory. 

How  ready  the  great  missionary  to  the  nations 

18 


Counsel     to     N  e  tc     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

was  to  see  and  praise  the  things  that  were  lovely 
and  of  good  report  in  his  fellow-workers!  Epa- 
phras  is  the  ''beloved  fellow-servant,  ahvays  striv- 
ing for  3^ou  in  his  prayers,  for  I  bear  him  witness 
that  he  hath  much  labor  for  yon  and  for  them  in 
Laodicea";  Onesimus  is  "the  faithful  and  beloved 
brother";  Onesiphorus  ''oft  refreshed  me  and  was 
not  ashamed  of  my  chain";  Philemon,  "the  hearts 
of  the  saints  have  been  refreshed  through  thee, 
brother" ;  "Salute  Apelles,  the  approved  in  Christ" ; 
"Salute  Perses,  the  beloved,  which  labored  in  the 
Lord" ;  "Luke,  the  beloved  physician" ;  "Take  Mark 
and  bring  him  with  thee,  for  he  is  useful  to  me 
for  ministering";  Aristarchus,  Mark,  Justus,  "my 
fellow-workers,  men  that  have  been  a  comfort  unto 
me."  And  so  Paul  had  a  word  of  praise  for  his 
fellow-missionaries  ever  ready  to  break  from  his 
lips  and  pen.  He  was  ever  looking  for  and  longing 
to  find  something  lovely  and  of  good  report  in  each 
of  them,  and  his  search  was  not  in  vain.  Nor  will 
it  be  now.  The  missionary  who  keeps  in  mind  that 
"God  hath  set  the  members  each  one  of  them  in  the 
body,  even  as  it  pleased  Him,"  is  not  likely  to  think 
lightly  of  "the  brother  of  low  degree,"  nor  fail  to 
see  the  value  of  his  work,  and  to  give  the  praise  due 
him  for  it. 

In  the  "Life  of  Rev.  Ashbel  Green,"  once  presi- 
dent of  Princeton  College  and  also  for  many  years 
co-pastor  of  a  large  church  in  Philadelphia,  is  a 
letter  from  his  friend  of  sixty  years,  Dr.  Samuel 
Miller,  of  Princeton,  in  which  Dr.  Miller  pays  this 
tribute  to  his  friend:  "There  is,  perhaps,  hardly 
anything  that  puts  a  man's  real  spirit  to  a  more 
decisive  and  even  severe  test  than  being  placed  in 
this  relation    (viz.,  the  associate  of  other  pastors 

19 


Counsel      i  o      N  a  lo      M  i  ,v  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

over  a  large  congregation).  An  ambitious, 
encroaching,  selfish  man  can  hardly  ever  sustain 
it,  without  bearing  much  discomfort  himself,  and 
inflicting  quite  as  much,  if  not  more,  upon  his  col- 
leagues. The  excellent  man  of  whom  I  speak,  had 
large  experience  of  this  relation  in  various  forms, 
and  in  every  case  acquitted  himself  in  a  manner 
which  manifested  much  amiableness  of  natural 
temper,  as  well  as  a  large  measure  of  the  Christian 
spirit.  With  his  first  colleague,  he  served  as  a  son 
with  a  father;  Avithout  jealousy,  without  rivalship, 
and  with  the  utmost  cordiality  of  affection.  With 
later  colleagues  .  .  .  his  connection  was  no 
less  affectionate  and  pleasant."  Dr.  Green  himself 
tells  us  hoAv  it  was  that  he  was  enabled  to  live  in 
closest  association  of  work  with  his  colleagues, 
''without  jealous}^,  without  rivalship  and  with  the 
utmost  cordiality  of  affection."  This  is  the  secret 
put  on  record  near  the  close  of  his  life.  ''The  diffi- 
culties attending  collegiate  pastoral  charges  have 
nearly,  if  not  wholly,  banished  them  from  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  Why  is  this?  .  .  .  The 
primitive  churches,  even  in  the  Apostolic  age, 
appear  to  have  had  more  than  one  pastor.  .  .  . 
For  myself  I  can  truly  say  that  of  the  three  col- 
leagues with  whom  I  have  been  connected,  I  never 
had  a  difficulty  with  one  of  them.  We  lived  tog(^ther 
in  uninterrupted  brotherly  affection  and  con- 
fidence. Let  no  pious  minister  consent  .to  be  the 
colleague  of  a  man  whose  piety  he  thinks  very  ques- 
tionable. But  with  one  of  whose  personal  religion 
he  has  no  doubt,  let  him  makc^  an  agreenuMit  that 
each  shall  pray  earnestly  for  the  other  in  the  daily 
prayers  that  he  offers  for  himself,  and  that  each 
shall  defend  his  colleague's  character,  as  if  it  were 

20 


Counsel      to      ?f  e  ir      J/  /  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  .s- 

his  OAvn,  and  there  will  be  between  such  men  very 
little  danger  of  alienation.  To  this  practice  and 
under  the  blessing  of  God,  and  not  to  my  OAvn  pru- 
dence or  good  nature,  I  attribute  my  happiness  in 
the  several  collegiate  charges  that  I  have  sus- 
tained." If  the  missionaries  of  the  same  station 
or  mission  will  put  into  practice  this  rule  of  Dr. 
Green,  praying  daily  by  name  for  each  other, 
defending  each  the  good  name  of  the  other  as  his 
own,  then  T>ill  be  smitten  to  death,  in  the  presence 
of  the  Lord,  not  a  few  of  the  common  causes  of 
heart-burning  and  alienation.  It  is  a  simple  rule. 
Try  it.  Every  missionary  Avho  has  tried  it  faith- 
fully for  years,  will  bear  witness  how  it  has  many 
a  time  saved  him  from  hot  words  and  foolish 
actions.  This  seems  to  have  been  Paul's  rule.  He 
tells  Timothy,  ^'How  unceasing  is  my  remembrance 
of  thee  in  my  supplications,  night  and  day."  He 
tells  Philemon,  '^I  thank  my  God,  always  making 
mention  of  thee  in  my  prayers."  He  tells  the 
Philippian  bishops  and  deacons,  ^'I  thank  my  God 
upon  all  my  remembrance  of  you,  always  in  every 
supplication  of  mine  on  behalf  of  you  all,  making 
my  supplication  with  joy." 

Within  a  year  or  two  of  his  arrival  in  the  field, 
the  missionary  is  given  a  vote,  and  by  a  vote  of  the 
mission  nearl}'  every  question  is  settled.  This  puts 
power  into  his  hands,  and  because  of  personal  ties 
often  causes  painful  and  perplexing  questions.  Is 
there  any  principle  to  guide  in  the  use  of  this 
power?  Yes,  in  everything  put  first  the  interests 
of  Christ.  Whatever  action  seems  best  for  the 
upbuilding  of  His  Church  and  work,  give  voice  and 
vote  for  that.  Personal  affection,  family  ties,  old 
and   sacred   friendships — these   are   things   Avhich 

21 


Counsel     to     N  e  w     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

have  the  sanetiou  of  nature  and  Scripture  alike. 
They  have  their  place  and  use.  The  Master  Him- 
self had  His  three  beloved  disciples  to  whom  He 
gave  an  access  and  intimac}^  not  given  to  the  other 
apostles.  Peter  and  John  Avorked  together  rather 
than  Peter  and  Andrew,  though  they  Avere  brothers. 
All  this  freely  granted,  there  yet  remains  the  fear 
that  these  affinities  may  now  and  then  lead  to 
action  Avhich  is  not  for  the  upbuilding  of  Christ's 
Church  and  the  highest  interests  of  His  work,  and 
hence  the  need  of  constantly  being  on  guard,  lest 
they  incline  us  to  put  personal  friendship  aboA  e  the 
interests  of  the  Avork.  We  read  that  the  contention 
betAA'een  Paul  and  Barnabas  over  the  question  of 
taking  John  Mark  AAdth  them  on  a  missionary  tour 
was  so  sharp  that  they  parted  asunder,  the  long 
friendship  Avith  Barnabas  broken  by  Paul,  rather 
than  yield  to  the  very  natural  desire  of  Barnabas 
to  take  his  nepheAV  Avith  him.  If  Paul  thought  that 
Mark  Avould  be  a  hindrance  rather  than  a  help  in 
the  difficult  AVork  before  them,  he  Avas  right  in  not 
listening  to  the  appeal  which  the  friendship  of 
Barnabas  made  to  him.  And  the  missionary  to-day 
may  not  be  long  in  the  field  before  he  is  called  on 
to  face  just  some  such  question  as  that  Avhich 
divided  Paul  and  Barnabas.  For  such  an  emer- 
gency he  Avill  need  courage,  humility  and  love,  and 
that  in  equal  proportions:  courage  to  stand  for 
Avhat  seems  to  liim  for  the  highest  interests  of  the 
AVork,  eA^en  at  tlie  risk  of  alienating  a  friend ; 
humility,  lest,  after  all,  he  be  mistaken,  and  lest 
he  fail  to  pray  earnestly  and  constantly  for  the 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  and  the  love  Avhicli 
doth  not  beliaA'e  itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not  its 
OAvn,  and  is  not  provoked.    Again  and  again  a  bless 

22 


Counsel     to     N  e  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  7^  i  c  ^ 

ing  is  forfeited  by  failure  to  make  a  prayerful  effort 
to  be  of  one  mind  with  our  fellow-workers.  Such 
an  effort  would  often  bring  a  richer  blessing  than 
days  spent  at  a  convention  for  deepening  the  spir- 
itual life,  full  of  blessing  as  such  days  have  often 
proved.  How  suggestive  the  words  of  the  Apostle 
Peter,  setting  forth  one  of  the  Avays  in  which  we 
may  "inherit  a  blessing."  ''Finally,  be  ye  like- 
minded,  compassionate,  loving  as  brethren,  tender- 
hearted, humble-minded:  not  rendering  evil  for 
evil,  or  reviling  for  reviling,  but,  contrariwise, 
blessing;  for  hereunto  were  ye  called,  that  ye 
should  inherit  a  blessing." 

Some  years  ago  a  young  missionary,  a  few  weeks 
after  his  arrival  among  his  brethren  on  the  field, 
wrote  back  to  friends  that  the  spiritual  state  of 
the  missionaries  was  very  unsatisfactory.  And  yet, 
some  who  had  long  been  in  the  field  were  giving 
thanks  at  what  seemed  to  them  the  working  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  in  the  hearts  of  the  missionaries  in 
such  measure  as  they  had  rarely  experienced  or 
observed.  The  life  hid  with  Christ  has  many  ways 
of  showing  itself.  If  the  manifestations  of  the 
Spirit  in  the  foreign  field  are  not  just  those  we  are 
accustomed  to  in  the  circle  where  we  have  hitherto 
moved,  let  us  not  infer  that  the  Spirit  is  not  work- 
ing. ''There  are  diversities  of  workings."  The 
young  missionary  who  condemned  as  barren  every 
preacher  who  could  not  show  converts,  forgot  that 
the  refusal  to  baptize  sometimes  shows  a  far  deeper 
life  than  the  ambition  to  report  a  large  number 
of  baptisms.  He  forgot,  too,  that  it  is  still  true 
that  "one  soweth  and  another  reapeth."  George 
Bowen  preached  in  the  streets  of  Bombay  for  forty 
years  and  everywhere  he  could  get  a  hearing,  and 

23 


Counsel      to     N  e  id      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  r  y 

yet,  at  last  had  to  say  with  his  Master,  ''Lord,  who 
hath  believed  our  report?"    John  xii :  38. 

May  we  add  a  Avord  on  the  relation  of  the  young 
missionary  to  his  fellow-workers  from  the  people  of 
the  country?  Do  not  learn  to  call  them  or  think  of 
them  as  ''natives."  Although  it  is  not  so  meant 
by  many  who  use  it,  yet  the  word  has  so  often  a 
slight  ring  of  contempt  in  it  that  it  is  better  not 
to  learn  to  use  it,  lest,  at  the  wrong  time,  it  slip 
from  the  lips  and  bar  the  entrance  of  our  message 
to  the  heart.  Try  to  put  yourself  in  the  place  of 
the  "native  brother"  and  ask.  Would  jou  like  to 
be  called  a  "native"  by  members  of  the  ruling  race? 
The  English  language  is  not  so  poor  that  it  will 
not  furnish  equivalent  terms,  in  most  cases.  This 
is  a  little  matter,  but  the  use  of  the  word  has  often 
grated  on  sensitive  ears  and  closed  them  to  the 
speaker.  It  is  resented  at  heart  by  the  Christian 
community,  and  that  is  enough  of  itself  to  con- 
demn it. 

A  young  missionary  once  addressed  the  late  Rev. 
Ram  Chandra  Bose  as  "Ram  Chandra."  There 
was  no  intention  to  slight  Mr.  Bose,  and  so  no 
notice  Avas  taken  of  it.  Moreover,  Mr.  Bose  was 
too  great  a  man  to  condescend  to  notice  such  a 
slight,  even  had  it  been  intended. 

The  same  courtesy  we  show  to  fellow-missiona- 
ries should  be  shown  to  fellow-Avorkers  of  the  coun- 
try, and  failure  in  this  has  largely  brought  to 
nought  the  eloquence  of  more  than  one  evangelist. 
Not  long  ago  in  a  vernacular  paper  was  a  letter 
from  a  Christian  worker  telling  of  a  long  journey 
and  arrival  at  a  mission  house  in  the  early  morning. 
Had  it  been  a  brother  missionary  a  cup  of  tea 
would  have  been  offered,  but,  for  some  reason,  it 

24 


C 0  u  n  s  e  J     to     N  c v     Missionaries 

Avas  forgotten  iu  this  case,  and  the  missionary  let 
this  fellow-worker  go  away  with  a  heart  so  ruffled 
by  this  neglect,  that  it  tried  to  find  relief  in  a  letter 
to  the  paper.  Not  so  would  Paul  have  treated 
Timothy,  his  Eurasian  fellow-worker. 

Henry  Drummond  has  said  that  "the  greatest 
thing  in  the  world  is  love."  It  is  certainly  the 
greatest  thing  in  dealing  Avith  our  fellow-Avorkers, 
whether  of  our  own  nationality  or  another.  Years 
ago  a  young  missionary  at  the  end  of  the  first  year 
in  the  lield  broke  down  and  had  to  leave  the  coun- 
try, never  to  return.  The  laAv  of  love  so  ruled  the 
tongue  of  that  young  missionary  that  it  was  never 
heard  to  speak  a  word  against  a  fellow-worker, 
and  tlie  influence  of  that  example  is  felt  and  is 
bearing  fruit  to  this  day  in  that  mission. 

The  sum  of  it  all  is  this :  Whether  your  fellow- 
laborer  be  of  your  own  nation  or  another,  receive 
him  as  sent  of  God  to  Avork  with  you,  respect  him 
and  siiOAV  it,  giA^ng  it  expression  now  and  then 
through  pen  or  tongue,  remember  him  in  your 
prayers  day  by  day,  defend  his  good  name  as  your 
own,  in  loAvliness  of  mind  esteem  him  better  than 
yourself,  A^alue  highly  his  friendship,  but  when  the 
choice  must  be  made  betAveen  that  and  the  interests 
of  the  work,  Avith  courage  and  humility  withstand 
him,  saying  eA^er  to  yourself,  until  it  is  burnt  into 
your  heart  as  your  greatest  need,  to  be  sought 
unceasingly  and  Avith  prayer,  from  the  beginning 
to  the  end  of  your  missionary  life — 

"LoA^e  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind; 

LoA^e  euAaeth  not; 

LoA^e  A^aunteth  not  itself,  is  not  puffed  up; 

Doth  not  behave  itself  unseemly; 

25 


/  o      X  ('  ir      M  i  -S'  .s*  i  0  N  <(  r  i  c  s 

Seeketh  not  her  own; 

Is  not  easily  provoked; 

Thinketh  no  evil; 

Eejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  rejoicetli  in  the  truth ; 

Beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all 

things,  endnreth  all  things." 


,26 


Ill 

MISSIONARIES    AND    THE    LANGUAGE 

By  the  Rev.  Calvin  W.  Mateer,  D.  D.,  of  China 

/\NE  of  the  tasks,  and  to  many  one  of  the  trials, 
"  of  missionary  life  is  the  learning  of  a  new, 
and  often  a  difficult,  language.  So  far  as  the  mes- 
sage of  the  gospel  is  concerned,  the  tongue  is  tied 
until  the  language  is  learned.  I  set  it  down  as  a 
first  principle  that  every  missionary  should  go  out 
with  a  distinct  and  fixed  determination  to  learn 
the  language,  and  to  learn  it  well.  Let  there  be  no 
shrinking  from  it,  no  aversion  to  it,  no  half  meas- 
ures with  it.  Laxity  of  purpose  in  this  matter  is 
unworthy  of  any  one  who  is  called  to  be  a  mis- 
sionary. When  I  hear  a  young  missionary,  after 
a  few  years  or  months  on  the  field,  saying,  ''I  hate 
this  language;  who  can  learn  such  outlandish  gib- 
berish as  this?''  my  opinion  of  his  fitness  for  the 
work  at  once  suffers  a  heavy  discount.  Every 
young  missionai:^^  should  consider  it  his  or  her 
special  business  to  fall  in  love  with  the  language 
as  quickly  as  possible. 

EVERY    MISSIONARY    CAN    LEARN   THE   LANGUAGE. 

Some  languages  are  harder  to  learn  than  others ; 
but  anyone  Avho  is  deemed  worthy  to  be  a  mis- 
sionary, can,  if  he  sets  himself  steadfastly  to  the 
task,  learn  any  language  in  the  world.  Many  are 
unnecessarily  appalled  at  the  thought  of  learning 
to  speak  a  foreign  language.     Tliey  have  dug  at 

27 


Counsel      to      X  r  ir      M  i  ,s'  s  i  o  ii  (t  r  i  c  .v 

Latin  and  (ireek  witli  grammar  and  dictionary, 
nntil  tliev  have  gotten  tlie  idea  that  it  is  a  wonder- 
fnl  feat  to  leiirn  a  new  kmguage  so  as  to  speak  it, 
(]nite  forgetting  that  the  Greek  and  Kcmian  chil- 
dren learned  to  speak  their  language  as  easilj^  and 
glibly  as  possible,  without  either  grammar  or  dic- 
tionary. No  doubt  a  good  memory  is  a  great 
advantage,  but  an  ordinary  memory  with  a  steady 
purpose  is  quite  equal  to  the  occasion.  A  faint 
hicart  courts  failure.  A  vigorous  and  determined 
effort  ah^•ays  brings  success. 

Not  only  learn  the  language,  hiU  learn  it  well. 
No  other  thought  should  be  entertained  for  a 
moment  by  either  man  or  woman.  Otlier  things 
being  equal,  a  missionary's  success  will  be  in  direct 
proportion  to  his  skill  in  handling  the  language. 
There  is  no  excuse  for  half  measures.  It  is  nothing 
less  than  a  shame  for  a  missionary  to  stammer  his 
way  through  life,  exciting  by  turns  the  ridicule 
and  disgust  of  his  hearers.  Such  talking  and 
preaching  is  not  only  a  shame,  but  it  is  an  enor- 
mous waste  of  time  and  force,  as  well  as  a  serious 
handicap  to  the  message  itself.  He  whose  knowl- 
edge of  the  language  is  ing(xlequate,  has  to  resort 
to  continual  circumlocutions  and  awkward  make- 
shifts in  order  to  express  his  ideas  at  all ;  and  when 
at  last  the  shot  is  discliarged,  it  is  often  little  bet- 
ter than  a  spent  ball.  The  heathen  are  none  too 
eager  to  hear,  so  that  the  nmn  who  halts  and  blun- 
ders in  his  use  of  tlie  language  will  be  unable  to 
hold  his  audience  or  imin^ess  liis  message.  He 
who  commands  the  resources  of  the  language  will 
say  the  same  things  in  one-fourth  of  the  time,  and 
say  them  far  more  effectively. 

If  a  man  is  to  live  and  preach  and  teach  for  a 

28 


C  o  it  n  s  G  I      to      N  c  ir      M  i  .s-  s  l  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

score  or  two  of  years,  it  is  a  wise  economy  for  him 
to  spend  an  extra  year  at  the  start  studying  the 
language,  by  which  he  will  ultimately  saAC  the 
equivalent  of  several  years  of  time,  to  sa^'  nothing 
of  gaining  a  very  great  addition  of  power  in  deliv- 
ering his  message.  Some  men,  eager  to  begin  their 
real  work,  take  to  preaching  on  a  ver^^  slender 
stock  of  words;  and  finding  the  work  less  irksome 
and  more  to  their  taste  than  digging  at  the  lan- 
guage, they  neglect  their  studies,  and  step  by  step 
they  fall  into  the  habit  of  doing  business  on  a  very 
small  capital.  They  go  on  grinding  the  same  grist 
of  words  over  and  over  again  for  all  customers, 
and  so,  without  realizing  it,  go  laboring  through 
their  lives  at  an  immoDse  disadvantage  for  want  of 
an  adequate  command  of  the  language.  Others 
allow  themselves  to  be  drawn  aside  from  the  study 
of  the  language  by  secularities,  such  as  house- 
building, housekeeping,  accounts,  etc.,  which 
break  up  their  habits  of  study,  and  they  presently 
lose  their  taste  for  the  language,  and  before  hmg 
grow  content  with  their  meager  vocabulary  and 
their  makeshift  manner  of  speech. 

A  special  word  needs  to  be  said  with  regard  to 
ladies.  Other  things  being  equal,  they  generally 
at  the  start  learn  the  language  with  greater  facility 
than  men.  What  they  need  is  the  ambition  and  the 
perseverance  to  keep  on.  Married  ladies  are,  of 
course,  more  or  less  handicapped  Avith  houseliold 
cares,  and  by  and  by  with  children;  nevertheless, 
with  reasonable  health,  it  is  quite  practicable  for 
them  to  learn  the  language,  and  learn  it  well. 
Many  have  done  conspicuously  well  in  this  regard, 
not  always  those  who  have  had  the  best  opportuni- 
ties, or  the  highest  gifts,  but  always  those  who  had 

29 


('  o  i(  ]i  .s*  r  1      to      X  ('  H'      M  i  s  s  i  o  ii  a  r  i  r  .s' 

a  liii^li  sense  of  their  duty  in  this  regard,  and  who 
liad  a  mind  to  succeed.  In  most  heathen  lands 
domestic  service  is  plentiful  and  cheap,  so  that 
ladies  may  generally  be  relieved  of  much  of  th(» 
work  of  housekeeping,  though  not,  of  course,  of  its 
cares.  Every  woman  who  marries  a  missionary 
ought  to  do  it  with  the  distinct  purpose  that  she 
is  going  to  be  a  missionary  herself.  She  is  gen- 
erally so  regarded  and  so  called,  and  she  ought  to 
fulfil  her  calling,  tvhich  she  cannot  do  icithout  the 
langnage.  I  once  examined  a  young  wife  with  her 
husband  after  six  months  at  the  language.  I  was 
much  impressed,  and  a  little  amused,  at  the  set 
determination  of  the  lady  not  to  fall  a  whit  below 
her  husl)and.  Nor  did  her  after-life  fall  below  the 
start  slie  made.  In  an  experience  of  nearly  forty 
years,  I  have  occasionally  seen  missionary  Avives 
grow  somewhat  discontented,  and  all  too  willing 
to  go  home  and  remain  there,  but  I  never  saAV  onc^ 
sucli  Avho  had  learned  the  language,  and  put  her 
hand  to  mission  work. 

HOW    TO    LEARN    THE    LANGUAGE. 

Vicious  or  inadequate  ideas  on  this  subject  do 
much  harm,  and  account  for  many  inefficient  lives. 
A  few  hints  on  tlie  subject  will  not  be  amiss. 

1.  Make  the  learning  of  the  language  your  sole 
business  until  such  time  as  you  have  a  working 
know  ledgxi  of  it.  l*ut  aAvay  for  the  time  your  Greek 
and  Hebrew  and  theology  and  history  and  novels 
and  magazine  stories,  and  then,  morning,  noon  and 
night,  give  yourself  to  the  business  of  memorizing 
the  words  and  phrases  of  the  new  language,  saying 
to  all  intrudei's,  ''Tliis  (me  thing  I  do — I  press 
toward  th(^  mark"  of  talking  and  reading  this  lan- 

80 


C  o  ((  If  s  e  1     t  ()     X  ('  ir      Missionaries 

guage.  By  so  doing,  your  memory  will  not  be  dis- 
tracted by  the  intrusion  of  other  things.  You  will 
soon  become  interested  in  your  work,  and  your 
mind  will  presently  catch  the  glow  of  a  new  enthu- 
siasm. Tliis  will  make  the  Avork  easy  and  pleasant. 
You  will  come  to  it  each  day  like  a  hungry  child 
to  its  dinner.  When  I  see  a  missionary  only  giving 
his  forenoons  to  the  language,  devoting  the  rest 
of  the  day  to  English  studies  and  general  reading, 
I  expect  in  a  few  months  to  hear  him  complaining 
that  the  language  is  dry  and  uninteresting,  that 
he  forgets  it  as  fast  as  he  learns  it,  etc.  Such  symp- 
toms, once  seated,  generally  grow  worse,  the  result 
being  that  the  language  is  never  properly  learned. 
Those  who  do  not  learn  it  at  first,  generally  do  not 
learn  it  at  all.  You  need  not  be  alarmed  about 
giving  your  whole  strength  for  a  year  or  eighteen 
months  to  the  language.  When  you  have  a  good 
Avorking  knowledge  of  it,  it  will  be  time  enough  to 
look  around  and  see  whether  or  not  you  have  for- 
gotten everything  else. 

In  behalf  of  physicians,  a  special  word  needs  to 
be  said.  They  are  often  robbed  of  the  proper  oppor- 
tunity to  learn  the  language,  by  the  too  early  prac- 
tice of  their  iDrofession.  Every  medical  missionary 
should  claim,  and  his  colleagues  should  accord  him, 
full  opportunity  to  learn  the  language.  Prac- 
tically, he  needs  to  know  it  quite  as  Avell  as  his 
clerical  brother,  in  both  its  spoken  and  written 
forms.  On  the  mission  field,  preaching  loses  its 
technical  character.  Every  missionary,  male  and 
female,  is  a  preacher.  Doctors  should  also  preach, 
and  if  they  do  not  get  the  language  well  enough  for 
this  purpose,  their  career  is  generally  short. 

2.    Practice  what  you  learn,  or  rather  learn  by 

31 


(J  o  11  n  .v  el      to      N  c  w      M  i  s  s  i  o  u  a  r  i  e  s 

practicing.  Lessou  books  and  dictionaries  are  a 
very  important  lielp,  but  they  are  also  dangerous, 
in  that  they  tend  to  draw  3^ou  too  much  away  from 
your  teacher,  the  living  exemplar  of  the  language. 
The  words  you  learn  each  day,  use  in  talking  to 
your  teacher,  asking  and  answering  (questions  to 
the  full  extent  of  your  vocabulary.  Teachers  of 
heathen  languages  are  not  generall}^  teachers  at 
all.  They  are  simply  animated  sticks.  It  is  your 
business  to  train  your  teacher  as  well  as  possible, 
and  to  extract  from  him  all  you  can  get.  Insist  on 
his  always  correcting  your  mistakes,  and  then  do 
not  get  either  vexed  or  discouraged  Avhen  he  does 
his  dutj.  Out  of  stud3^  hours,  every  man,  woman 
or  child  you  meet  will  give  you  an  opportunity  to 
practice  what  3^ou  know.  If  the  opportunity  does 
not  come  of  itself,  seek  it.  Do  not  be  afraid  to  try. 
Never  stop  for  mistakes.  A  child  learns  to  walk 
only  after  innumerable  falls.  Practice  loosens  the 
tongue,  confirms  the  memory,  and  gives  zest  to  the 
process  of  acquiring.  He  who  confines  himself  to 
a  lesson  book  will  learn  the  language  both  slowly 
and  laboriously. 

3.  Take  pains  to  acquirc/the  art  of  hearing  and 
discriminating  new  sounds.  Many  of  the  languages 
of  the  heathen  world  contain  sounds  and  combina- 
tions not  known  to  the  English  language.  It  is 
very  important  to  learn  to  speak  without  a  dis- 
agreeable foreign  brogue  that  will  hinder  a  perfect 
understanding  of  what  is  said,  and  prejudice  the 
hearer's  disposition  to  listen.  The  ear  must  be 
trained  by  careful  and  oft-repeated  listening,  until 
every  sound  can  be  distinguisluMl  and  analyzed. 
A  somewhat  extended  experience  leads  me  to  tlie 
conclusion  that  in  cases  of  incorrect  rendering  of 

32 


Counsel      to      N  a  ic      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  .s- 

tlie  sounds  the  fault  does  not  lie  in  any  disability 
to  pr<Mluee  the  sound,  but  in  the  failure  to  hear  it 
correctly.  A  sound  once  properly  heard  will  soon 
be  produced  by  the  voice.  Careless  listening, 
together  with  the  undcn-lying  false  assumption  that 
every  possible  sound  must,  of  course,  exist  in  the 
English  language,  account  for  most  of  the  faulty 
pronunciation  of  foreign  languages.  It  need  hardly 
ha  added  that  a  clean-cut  and  not  too  rapid  enun- 
ciation is  of  prime  importance. 

4.  Cultivate  the  art  and  the  habit  of  catching 
up  new  words.  It  is  one  thing  to  acquire  what  is 
called  a  working  knowledge  of  a  language,  and 
quite  another  thing  to  know  it  well ;  that  is,  to  com- 
mand its  resources,  so  as  to  use  it  fluently  and  effec- 
tively. To  achieve  this  latter  power,  at  least  in 
the  case  of  cultivated  languages,  requires  prolonged 
effort.  When  you  hear  a  native  speaking,  keep 
your  ears  open  to  catch  any  new  Avords  and  phrases 
you  hear  him  use.  If  not  fully  appreliended,  note 
them  down,  and  take  the  first  opportunity  to  inves- 
tigate, and  so  fix  them  in  your  memory.  For  this 
purpose,  a  pocket  note-book  is  invaluable.  This 
process  will  rapidly  enlarge  your  stock  of  words, 
while  it  will  make  the  acquisition  easy  and  pleas- 
urable. The  neglect  of  this  principle  accounts  for 
the  narrow  round  of  words  that  many  missionaries 
are  able  to  command.  I  once  called  the  attention 
of  a  brother  missionary  of  over  twenty-five  years' 
experience  to  a  certain  phrase  used  by  a  native 
preacher  in  our  hearing.  He  expressed  his  satis- 
faction at  getting  the  phrase,  adding,  hoAvever,  that 
he  had  never  heard  anyone  use  it  before.  It  is 
safe  to  say  that  it  had  been  used  in  his  hearing 
many  hundreds  of  times,  yet  he  had  never  heard 

33 


Co  II  II  s  c  I      /  o      'N  e  w     M  i  s  'S  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

it!  When  ti  iiiissionarv  reaches  such  a  stasre  as 
this,  his  ]>i'<)i;irss  in  tlie  hiiiguage  is  at  an  end.  He 
will  remain  a  ch\arf. 

HOW  TO  USB  THE  LANGUAGE. 

Three  lines  of  activity  open  before  the  clerical 
missionary :  preaching,  teaching  and  the  making  of 
books.  Which  shall  engross  his  tinu^,  or  Avhat  pro- 
portion sliall  be  given  to  each,  is  an  all-important 
question.  Beyond  controversy,  preaching  is  the 
prime  business  of  the  missionary.  Here  all  should 
begin,  and  while  some  may  by  and  by  teach  or  make 
books,  none  sliould  ever  cease  to  preach  as  cir- 
cumstances may  iiermit.  For  preaching,  the  spoken 
language  is  the  prime  requisite,  and  its  acquisition 
should  be  the  first  ambition  of  every  missionary. 
No  amount  of  book  learning  can  take  its  place, 
or  justify  a  missionary  in  neglecting  it.  In  many 
non-Christian  countries  the  written  language  is 
mol-e  or  less  different  from  the  spoken,  and  in  some 
cases  the  two  are  (piite  distinct.  In  such  countries 
there  is  occasionally  a  danger  that  men  will  waste 
time  in  trying  to  reach  a  high  style  of  speaking, 
such  as  literary  men  affect  and  admire.  Very  few 
foreigners  are  able  to  achieve  this  end,  and  in  the 
attempt,  often  lose  more  than  tliey  gain.  They 
shoot  over  the  heads  of  the  mass  of  their  liearers, 
and  so  fail  to  make  the  gospel  message  effective. 
It  is  quite  possible  to  speak  fluently  and  accurately, 
without  any  parade  of  liigh-sounding  classical 
elegance. 

A  greater  danger,  perhaps,  lies  in  an  opposite 
direction;  namely,  preaching  in  a  slovenly  and 
uninteresting  way.  The  missionary  falls  into  this 
serious  and  all  too  common  fault,  from  underesti- 

34 


(■  o  u  u  s  c  I      to      N  G  w      M  i  s  .* 


rV  I  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 


mating  the  intelligence  of  his  hearers  and  the  high 
responsibilities  of  his  office.  He  should  never  allow 
the  pressure  of  other  things,  or  a  low  estimate  of 
the  capacity  of  his  hearers,  or  reliance  on  his  ability 
to  extemporize  some  pious  talk  that  will  meet  the 
occasion,  to  serve  as  an  excuse  for  indifferent  prep- 
aration, especially  when  he  preaches  to  Christian 
hearers.  In  missionary  life,  preaching  means  morci 
than  formal  discourse  in  a  church  or  chapel.  It 
means  telling  the  story  of  the  gospel  to  all  hearers, 
on  all  occasions,  to  men,  to  women,  and  to  children, 
at  home  and  by  the  wayside.  For  this  purpose, 
there  is  nothing,  aside  from  the  love  of  Christ  in 
the  heart,  that  is  so  effective  as  a  fluent  and  natural 
use  of  the  language. 

This  is  not  the  place  to  discuss  the  relative  claims 
of  preaching,  teaching  and  book-making.  Suffice 
it  to  say  that  some  should,  no  doubt,  teach,  and 
some  make  books; — who  should  do  so,  must  be 
determined  by  the  conditions  of  work,  and  the 
talents  and  tastes  of  the  individual.  All  are  not 
<'al](Ml  to  the  same  Avork.  Each  has  his  special  gift. 
It  is  a  great  thing  for  a  man  to  be  able  to  estimate 
himself  for  just  what  he  is  worth.  A  few  fail  to 
achieve,  because  they  think  they  cannot y  Avhen,  in 
fact,  they  could;  but  many  more  fail  because  they 
til  ink  they  could,  when,  in  fact,  they  cannot.  Every 
missionary  should  study  the  situation  that  con- 
fronts him,  and,  if  possible,  get  himself  into  the 
right  place.  On  this  depends  his  highest  success. 
Making  books  is  a  very  important  branch  of  mis- 
sionary effort,  which  I  would  by  no  means  depre- 
ciate; but  he  Avho  would  undertake  it  should  be 
sure  of  his  call,  and  should  not  begin  too  soon. 
There  is  a  temptation  to  forego  active  evangelistic 

35 


C  o  if  n  s  c  I      to      N  6  w      i}f  I  .' 


H  tS  i  ()  1 1  (I  r  I  e  ,s' 


work  for  the  less  laboricms  and,  perhaps,  more  eoii- 
i;eiiial  Avork  of  sit(iii|L;'  in  a  study  traiishitiiii»-,  or 
studyiiii!,"  the  literature  of  the  language.  Much 
precious  time  is  sometimes  wasted  in  this  way, 
especially  in  the  earlier  stages  of  a  man's  life, 
before  he  is  quite  able  to  weigh  himself  against 
his  work.  It  is  a  rare  thing  indeed  that  a  mis- 
siomiry  should  undertake  Avriting  or  translating 
a  book  inside  of  five  years,  and  then  he  should  be 
sui)])orted  by  the  advice  and  approval  of  his  older 
associates.  Translating  in  a  tentative  way  is  some- 
times resorted  to  as  a  means  of  learning  the  lan- 
guage, but,  in  general,  it  is  not  good  policy.  The 
beginner  is  certain  to  use  numy  foreign  idioms, 
and  there  is  great  danger  that  they  Avill  afterA\'ard 
adhere  to  him  to  the  permanent  injury  of  his  style. 
The  above  ideas,  in  the  way  of  assistance  and 
advice  to  a  new  or  prospiH'tive  missionary,  are  the 
outcome  of  well  nigh  forty  years'  experience  in 
nearly  every  branch  of  missionary  Avork.  More 
might  easily  be  said,  but  this  is  as  much  as,  ])erhaps 
more  than  the  missionaries  just  entering  the 
field  Avill  be  able  to  understand  and  api)reciate. 
The  place  to  learn  the  full  lesson  is  on  the  held,  in 
the  midst  of  the  varied  exi)eriences  that  the  AVork 
itself  brings. 


36 


IV 


THE   SPIRIT  AND   METHODS    OF 
EVANGELIZATION. 

Bij  the  Rcr.  Hunter  Corhett,  D.  D.,  of  China. 

^HE  supreme  aim  of  every  missionary  should 
-^  be  to  preach  Christ  so  that  every  one  must 
hear,  and  that  souls  will  be  won  for  Christ  and 
believers  established  in  the  faith. 

"Do  the  work  of  an  evangelist,"  testifying  to 
everyone  "repentance  toward  God  and  faith 
toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  should  be  ever 
heard  as  God's  voice  from  heaven,  constraining 
everyone  to  labor  with  untiring  zeal,  in  the  con- 
fident hope  that  by  the  blessing  of  God  the  entire 
land  will  be  soon  filled  with  self -propagating  and 
self-governing  Christian  churches. 

^^Take  heed,  therefore,  unto  yourselves/'  is  the 
first  imi^erative  duty.  Every  missionary  should 
be  ruled  by  an  unchanging  purpose  to  live  in  close 
and  constant  fellowship  with  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and,  if  it  be  possible,  "live  peaceably  Avith  all  men." 
"The  people  that  do  know  their  God  will  be  strong 
and  do  exploits."  They  will  ever  have  a  growing 
desire  to  know  more  of  Christ,  "the  power  of  Plis 
resurrection  and  the  fellowship  of  His  sufferings." 
The  life  Jesus  lived  on  earth  will  be  a  subject  of 
constant  study  and  meditaticm.  "It  came  to  pass 
that  Jesus  also  being  baptized  and  praying,  the 
heaven  was  opened  and  the  Holy  Ghost  descended 
in  bodil}^  shape  upon  Him."    Is  not  the  lesson  here 

37 


(^  o  u  n  fi  c  1      if)      N  c  ir      M  i  s  ,s  i  o  n  a  r  i  r  x 

tani>lit  lliat  tlie  Holy  Spirit  is  given  in  answer  to 
prayer,  and  that  all  workers  in  the  ]\[aster's  Aine- 
yard  must  from  first  to  last  ^'be  filled  Avitli  the 
Spirit"?  The  Holy  Spirit  is  represented  as  the 
quickener,  the  enlightener,  the  comforter,  the 
guide,  the  helper  and  the  life  of  every  true  believer. 
INIight  not  the  Holy  Spirit  unite  Avith  Jesus  in 
uttering  the  words  never  to  be  forgotten,  "AVithout 
me  ye  can  do  nothing"? 

With  joy  every  earnest  worker  will  delight  to 
study  how  Jesus  prayed,  when  on  earth  went  about 
doing  good,  preached,  healed,  entreated,  warned 
and  constrained  all  to  listen,  so  that  ^'the  common 
people  heard  Him  gladly."  "Never  man  spake  lik(^ 
this  man"  was  given  as  a  sufficient  reason  for 
disobeying  the  command  to  arrest  Jesus. 

Constant  meditation  on  these  things  will  unques- 
tionably fill  the  mind  with  high  ideals,  and  exert 
a  powerful  influence  over  the  heart  and  life,  and 
compel  us,  as  it  did  Paul,  to  say,  "I  press  toward  tlie 
mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus,"  and  aid  in  "bringing  into  captivity 
every  thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ." 

After  Jesus,  the  command  is,  "Take  those  wlio 
have  spoken  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  for  an  example 
of  suffering,  affliction  and  patience."  Living  in 
daily  fellowship,  not  only  Avith  Jesus,  \m\  with  the 
prophets,  apostles  and  others,  of  Avlioni  the  world 
Avas  not  Avorthy,  should  by  the  blessing  of  God  fill 
the  heart  Avitli  enthusiastic  hopes,  unquenchable 
zeal,  undaunted  courage,  tireh^ss  enei-gy,  ])ersist- 
ence  and  every  noble  quality  Avhich  will  make  Avork- 
men  "that  need  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  divid- 
ing the  word  of  truth."  Such  Avill  strive^  to  imitate 
the  apostles  in  the  resolve,  "But  we  Avill  give  our- 

38 


(J  o  7A  n  s  c  I      to      N  €  iv      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  x 

selves  continually  to  prayer  and  to  the  ministry 
of  the  word.'-  jMen  of  prayer  are  men  (Tf  power. 
They  will  give  their  wliole  hc^arts  to  the  main  mat- 
ters of  life,  and  not  snffer  their  energies  to  be 
dissipated  by  even  so  good  and  praiseworthy 
objects  as  distributing  alms  to  the  widows  and 
other  good  and  innocent  things  nrgenth-  claiming 
attention. 

No  one  has  physical  and  mental  strength  to  do 
well  everj^.thing  he  might  wish  to  do,  nor  does  God 
liold  any  one  responsible  for  the  work  committed 
to  the  entire  Church.  God  surely  expects  each  one 
to  ponder  the  truth,  ''He  that  is  faithful  in  that 
wJiieh  is  least  is  faithful  also  in  much." 

Every  missionary  should  resolve  to  give  self- 
denying,  hard  and  i^ersistent  study  in  learning  well 
the  languages  and  everything  that  will  give  him 
influence  and  power.  Not  only  during  the  early 
years  of  missionary  life  but  to  tlie  end  of  life  he 
should  be  ahvays  learning.  Failure  to  start  right 
may  handicap  throughout  all  coming  years,  and 
diminish  the  success  and  joy  which  might  have 
been. 

THE  MISSIONARY  AT  WORK 

Jesus  said  unto  Simon  and  Andrew,  "Follow  me, 
and  I  will  make  you  fishers  of  men."  The  skilful 
fisherman  goes  where  the  fish  are  found;  studies 
their  habits,  and  adopts  the  best  methods  of 
speedily  capturing  as  many  as  possible.  Missiona- 
ries are  called  to  fish  for  men  that  they  may  be 
saved.  One  method  which  God  has  blessed  in 
preaching  to  the  heathen  has  been  work  in  the  street 
chapel,  as  distinct  from  the  church  building  where 
Sabbath  services  Vvith  the  Christians  are  held.     To 

39 


(J  o  n  n  s  c  I      to      N  e  ir      j]f  i  s  .s-  /  o  ;/  a  r  /  r  x 

be  able  (l;n*ly  lo  secure  an  nndieiiee  is  a,  matter  of 
great  ifliportaiiee.  An  attractive  biiibliiio-  in  a 
good  location  is  a  requisite  of  no  secondary  impor- 
tance. The  chapel  should  be  well  lighted,  well  ven- 
tilated and  comfortably  seated.  The  Avails  should 
be  adorned  witli  scripture  texts,  printed  in  large 
type.  In  some  cities  a  museum  and  reading-room, 
connected  with  the  chapel,  have  helped  to  attract 
multitudes,  and  secure  a  large  daily  attendance 
from  year  to  year.  The  entrance  should  be  only 
through  the  chapel  wliere  all  are  seated  for  a  time 
to  rest  and  listen  to  preaching  before  the  doors  are 
opened  into  the  inner  rooms.  To  secure  and  be  able 
to  hold  the  attention  of  people  untrained  to  listen 
to  public  speaking  requires  special  training,  tact 
and  power  of  adaptation.  To  speak  so  as  to  com- 
pel the  dullest  intellect  to  understand  requires  a 
wide  and  varied  vocabulary,  clear  articulation, 
forcible  utterance,  and  the  skill  to  use  apt  illus- 
trations. Love,  sympathy,  good  cheer  and  hopeful- 
ness should  overflow  like  an  unfailing  fountain. 
Each  hearer  should  be  made  to  feel  that  the  gospel 
message  is  for  him  and  opens  a  door  of  hope. 

The  value  of  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  people, 
their  religious  beliefs,  hopes,  fears  and  environ- 
ments cannot  be  overrated.  Not  only  should  the 
missionary  know  the  people  l)ut  shouhl  use  every 
right  effort  to  make  the  people  understand  him 
and  to  convince  them  that  he  is  their  true  friend, 
able  to  sympathize  with  them  in  their  trials,  bur- 
dens and  all  of  life's  sorrows. 

Witlumt  this  mutual  understanding  there  is  dan- 
ger of  sealing  hearts  which  otherwise  might  have 
been  ojxmi'hI  to  heed  and  r(M'eive  the  ti-uth.  So  long 
as  the  ])eo])le  ar(»  suspicious  of  onr  motives,  despise, 

^0 


C  o  II  )i  H  e  1      i  o      ?<  r  ir      M  i  g  .9  /  o  n  a  r  1  c  s 

liate  and  revile  us,  their  ears  are  closed  to  the  gos- 
pel we  preach. 

On  the  day  of  Pentecost  the  apostles  ^'were  all 
filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  began  to  speak 
with  other  tongues,  as  the  Spirit  gave  them  utter- 
ance.'' Does  not  ever^^  missionary  need  the  Holy 
Spirit's  constant  help,  and  unite  with  Paul  in 
request  for  prayer  ^'that  utterance  may  be  given 
unto  me  that  I  may  open  my  mouth  boldly  to  make 
known  the  mystery  of  the  gospel"? 

A  very  great  and  easily  besetting  danger  which 
every  missionary  should  prayerfully  and  carefully 
guard  against  in  chapel  and  outdoor  prc^aching  is 
preaching  ^practically  the  same  sermon  day  after 
day  and  to  the  end  of  life.  The  constantly  changing 
audience  and  manifold  duties  always  pressing, 
making  new  preparation  very  difficult,  is  not  a 
valid  reason  for  lack  of  constant  preparation. 
Freshness,  variety  and  new  and  growing  power 
can  only  come  from  intellectual  effort,  careful, 
prayerful  and  diligent  study.  Without  this  the 
speaker  does  an  irreparable  wrong  to  himself,  and 
robs  his  audience  of  the  freshness,  variety  and 
charm  Avhich  are  their  due,  and  which  should  be 
expected  from  all  who  are  called  to  be  "ambassa- 
dors for  Christ." 

The  missionary  should  be  like  the  householder 
^Avho  bringeth  forth  out  of  his  treasure  things  new 
and  old."  God  said  to  Jonah,  "Rise,  go  unto  Nine- 
veh, that  great  city,  and  preach  unto  it  the  preach- 
ing that  I  bid  thee."  Should  not  the  missionary 
daily  ask  and  expect  from  God  the  message  that 
God  will  bless?  "A  word  fitly  spoken  is  like  apples 
of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver." 

"The    preacher    sought    to    find    out    accei>tal)le 

41 


Co  II  II  s  r  1      /  ()      N  c  ir      M  i  s  s  i  o  ii  a  r  i  r  s 

words."  Words  of  wisdom  do  not  come  spoiita- 
nooiisly  to  the  ordinary  person,  but  only  to  those 
wlio  search  as  for  liid  treasures.  Every  sermon  the 
missionary  prepares  sliould  first  nourish  his  OAvn 
soul  and  give  him  clearer  views  of  God  and  duty 
and  the  needs  of  men.  All  should  guard  against  un- 
^N'aranted  applications  of  Scripture  and  the  temp- 
tation to  rely  upon  spontaneousness  and  inspira- 
tion. ^'Take  no  thought  how  or  what  ye  shall  speak  : 
for  it  shall  be  given  you  in  that  hour  what  ye  shall 
speak.  For  it  is  not  ye  that  speak,  but  the  Spirit 
of  3^our  Fatlier  Avhich  speaketh  in  you."  I  cannot, 
for  a  moment,  believe  that  our  Saviour  meant  by 
this  that  men  are  warranted  in  going  into  the  pul- 
'pit  to  speak  for  God  and  plead  witii  men  in  Christ's 
stead  to  be  reconciled  to  God  'Svithout,  first  by 
earnest  prayer  and  study,  making  the  best  prepara- 
tion possible."  God  commanded  the  children  of 
Israel  ''that  they  bring  pure  olive  oil,  beaten  for 
tlie  light,  to  cause  the  lamps  to  burn  continually." 
Surely  the  Lord  desires,  and  is  Avorthy  of,  the  very 
best  we  are  able  to  give.  It  is  true  He  does  not 
need  our  learning,  much  less  does  He  need  our 
ignorance. 

Certain  fundamental  truths  must  be  constantly 
kept  before  the  people,  and  illustrated  and  empha- 
sized with  all  the  powder  God  lias  given  us.  There 
is  onh^  one  living  and  true  God  who  hates  sin  and 
loves  righteousness. 

Jesus  Christ,  the  only  mediator  b(^tween  God 
and  man,  came  into  the  Avorld  and  died  to  save 
sinners;  rose  again;  is  seated  at  God's  right  hand, 
and  is  able  to  save  unto  the  uttermost  all  w^ho  come 
unto  God  through  Him.  He  invites  whosoever  will 
to  come.     The  universality  and  excecMling  sinful- 

42 


(^  o  u  n  s  r  J      to      X  r  )r      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  x 

ness  of  sin  and  man's  utter  helplessness,  except  b\ 
faith  and  trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

The  duty  of  iDronipt  and  whole-hearted  obedience 
to  all  of  God's  commands,  which  were  given  to  be 
obeyed  and  not  disputed  nor  disregarded, 

The  assurance  that  God  is  our  heavenly  Father 
and  ''like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the 
Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  Him" ;  that  ''the  mercy 
of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  upon 
them  that  fear  Him,  and  His  righteousness  unto 
children's  children." 

'"How  shall  we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great 
salvation?" 

The  above  are  truths  that  not  only  the  heathen 
but  also  professing  Christians  imperatively  need  to 
hear  and  to  keep  in  constant  remembrance.  There 
must  be  line  upon  line  and  precept  upon  precept 
so  lovingly  and  earnestly  pressed  upon  every  hearer 
that  whether  we  are  to  them  the  "savour  of  death 
unto  death"  or  the  "savour  of  life  unto  life,"  we 
shall  be  "pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men."  All 
should  be  made  to  feel  that  the  missionary  believes 
Avith  the  whole  heart  the  truth  he  preaches,  and 
therefore  cannot  but  warn  and  endeavor  to  per- 
suade everyone  without  delay  to  yield  the  heart  to 
Jesus  as  the  only  possible  ho^^e. 

My  earnest  conviction  is  that  the  cherished 
beliefs  and  religious  rites  and  ceremonies  which 
for  generations  all  have  been  trained  to  regard  as 
sacred  should  be  treated  with  the  deepest  respect. 
The  habit  of  making  the  audience  laugh  by  ridicu- 
ling the  worship  of  idols,  ancestors  and  whatever 
have  for  generations  moulded  and  swayed  the  lives 
of  millions  I  regard  as  a  fearful  mistake  and  posi- 
tively injurious.     "There  is  a  time  to  laugh,"  but 

43 


r'  o  //  n  H  c  I      I  ()     ^  c  If     j\I  }  s  s  i  ()  n  a  r  i  c  s 

religious  coiiviciioiis  instilled  U-um  infancy  are  too 
deep  and  S(u-ions  for  langliter. 

The  missionary  must  '^learn  to  put  himself  in  the 
place  of  his  hearers"  and  see  from  their  viewpoint. 
Learn  to  admire  and  appreciate  whatever  is  good 
and  praiseworthy.  There  is  nothing  like  the  rising 
sun  to  dispel  mist  and  darkness.  Is  not  the  faith- 
ful, earnest  and  persistent  preaching  of  the  gospel, 
enforced  by  a  consistent  and  Christ-like  life,  the 
divinely  appointed  means  for  the  fulfilment  of  the 
glorious  prcmiise,  ''The  Gentiles  shall  come  to  thy 
light  and  kings  to  the  brightness  of  thy  rising"; 
"And  I,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw 
all  men  unto  me"? 

When  the  gospel  is  fully  and  faithfully  preached, 
^^  ith  entire  dependence  on  the  Holy  Spirit,  whose 
office  it  is  to  ''convince  of  sin,  of  righteousness  and 
of  judgment/'  "ccmimending  ourselves  to  every 
man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  ( Jod,"  fully  believ- 
ing that  the  Gospel  is  "the  power  of  God  unto  sal- 
vation to  every  one  that  believeth,"  and  that  "it 
phrased  God  by  the  foolishness  of  preaching  to 
save  them  that  believe,"  surely  we  have  a  right  to 
claim  and  expect  God's  blessing,  and  that  He  will 
use  our  message  in  awakening  sinners  and  building 
up  l)el lenders  in  the  faith. 

No  audience  should  l)e  expected  to  derive  great 
profit  from  listening  to  a  comph^te  outline  of  Bible 
truth  in  a  single  discourse.  Every  sermon  should 
aim  to  lodge  a  few  vital  truths  in  every  lu^art. 
Short,  clear,  crisp  and  carefully  prepared  sermons, 
in  language  that  all  can  understand,  are  what  the 
people  imperatively  need. 

Every  sermon  should  come  from  a  loving  and 
synii>atlietic  h(^art  and  l>e  ])reached   willi  an  over- 

44 


T'  o  II  H  -s-  ('  J  '  i  o      N  ('  ir       1/  /  .s  \  /  t)  it  n  r  i  c  .s 

powering  earnestness  tliat  will  eompel  thought  and 
the  convietion  that  the  truth  vitally  concerns  every 
individual  and  requires  immediate  attention. 
Every  sermon  should  be  all  aglow  with  the  love 
of  God  ^'who  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved." 

The  conviction  should  ever  abide  with  the 
preacher  that  probably  many  in  the  audience  are 
hearing  for  the  first  time  of  salvation  through  faith 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and,  possibly,  may  never 
have  another  opportunity  to  hear  the  Gospe" 
preached.  This  feeling  of  fearful  responsibility 
will  compel  us  to  ''gird  up  the  loins  of  our  mind, 
be  sober,"  and  make  rambling  and  long,  wordy 
discourses  an  impossibility. 

All  should  cultivate  the  habit  not  only  of  thiidv- 
ing  clearly  and  speaking  so  as  to  compel  attention, 
but  of  being  able  at  any  moment  to  ask  vital  ques- 
tions, cf)mpelling  all  to  think  and  making  it  most 
difficult  for  anyone  to  sit  listless,  or  for  mind  or 
body  to  slumber  and  sleep.  Questions  properly 
asked  may  call  forth  answers  giving  a  clue  to  the 
needs  and  difficulties  of  the  hearers,  and  an  oppor- 
tunity to  give  the  message  and  instruction  most 
needed  at  the  time.  It  may  be  well  at  intervals  to 
stop  speaking  and  request  the  people  to  follow  in 
a  few  Avords  of  earnest  prayer  to  God  for  mercy 
and  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  convince  of  sin,  and 
open  every  heart  to  believe  in  Jesus,  and  resolve 
to  accept  Him  as  He  is  offered  to  all  Avho  wish  to 
be  saved. 

The  singing  or  repeating  of  a  hymn  written  on 
a  large  scroll,  and  requesting  all  to  join,  may  lodge 
in  the  heart  truths  that  cannot  be  forgotten.  If 
possible  the  street  chapel  should  be  kept  open  the 
entire  day  and  every  day. 

45 


o  //  //  X  <■  J      I  (J     N  ('  ID     i\[  i 


s  fi  I  o  If  (I  r  I  c  s 


In  some  centres  the  magic  lantern  lias  helped  to 
fill  the  chapel  in  the  evenings  with  bnsiness  men, 
clerks  and  laborers  who  could  not  attend  during 
the  (\aj. 

Thei-e  should  be  a  room  convenient  to  the  chapel 
where  any  ^^ho  have  been  awakened  or  become 
interested  can  be  invited  to  enter  for  closer  per- 
sonal work,  for  further  explaining  and  riveting  the 
truth  upon  the  awakened  conscience  and  for 
I)raver.  Every  sermon  should  be  preceded  and 
folloANXHl  by  earnest  pra3^er,  and  not  only  future 
but  immediate  results  expected  from  it.  God  has 
said  of  His  word,  ''It  shall  not  return  unto  me  void, 
but  it  shall  accomplish  that  which  1  please,  and  it 
shall  prosper  in  the  thing  whereto  I  sent  it." 

The  command  "Compel  them  to  come  in"  has 
never  been  cancelknl.  ''Now  is  the  accepted  time." 
''Say  not,  there  are  yc^t  four  months  and  then 
Cometh  harvest;  behold  T  say  unto  3'Ou,  lift  up 
your  eyes  and  look  on  the  fields:  for  they  are 
white  already  to  harvest."  Is  this  truth  fully 
realized? 

There  should  always  be  kept  a  good  assortment 
of  WTll-written  tracts,  also  portions  of  scripture; 
and  used  freely,  not  only  in  the  hope  of  bem^titting 
the*  person  Avho  receives  them,  but  of  finding  (mi- 
trance  in  shops  and  homes  far  distant. 

Wherever  the  conditions  are  favorable  for  daily 
chapel  preaching,  by  the  blessing  of  God  faithful 
and  persistent  work  there  may  accomplish  much. 

1.  I  know  of  no  better  school  in  wliich  to  train 
missionaries  and  native  preachers  to  become  wide- 
awake and  forceful  sp(Mikers  and  workers;  also  to 
help  break  down  ])rejudice,  win  confidence  and 
influence  men. 

'1(3 


('  <)  i(  It  s  c  I      t  0      N  c  ir      }f  I  s  s  I  (}  I!  (I  r  i  r  s 

2.  It  furnishes  a  grand  opi)ortuuity  to  preach 
to  many  from  far  and  near,  who  other>Yise  woukl 
probably  never  have  so  favorable  an  opportunity 
to  hear. 

3.  It  is  a  means  of  keeping  the  truth  continually 
before  the  peoj^le;  also  of  making  knoAvn  the  time 
and  place  where  the  Sabbath  services  are  held,  and 
assuring  all  who  can  come,  of  meeting  with  a 
hearty  welcome. 

4.  A  great  help  in  preparing  the  surrounding 
country  for  itinerating  under  favorable  circum- 
stances. All  who  have  received  courteous  and 
kindly  treatment  at  the  chapel  will  welcome  visits 
from  the  missionary  and  native  preachers  to  their 
villages,  and  will  assure  their  friends  and  neigh- 
bors that  tliey  have  no  cause  to  fear,  but  can  safely 
and  profitably  spend  a  little  time  in  seeing  and 
hearing  for  themselves. 

5.  ^'Blessed  are  ye  that  sow  beside  all  waters." 
During  the  wave  of  excitement  Avhich  swept  over 
China  after  the  Tientsin  massacre,  in  1870,  a  man 
living  five  days'  journey  in  the  interior  resolved 
to  visit  Chefoo  and  learn  all  he  could  about  for- 
eigners and  their  errand  to  China.  One  day  when 
passing  the  chapel  on  the  main  street,  his  atten- 
tion was  arrested  by  the  sight  of  a  missionary 
preaching  in  the  cliapel.  He  entered,  listened  for 
a  time,  and  received  some  Christian  tracts.  When 
he  returned  to  his  home,  the  people  of  his  village 
assembled  on  the  street  in  the  evening  to  hear  his 
report.  He  told  of  his  visit  to  the  chapel  and  all 
that  he  could  remember  of  having  heard  about 
God  and  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  unable  to  read, 
but  gave  the  tracts  to  a  school  teacher.  This 
teacher  became  so  interested  that  at  the  close  of 

47 


•s'  'S  I  o  H  a  r  I  c 


C  O  II  H  -s-  ('  /       to      y  r  ir      M  i 

the  term  lie  ciiiiie  lo  Clietoo  ;is  an  iiKiiiirei*.  After 
nioiitlis  of  study  lie  was  i-eeeived  into  tlie  Cliurcli, 
and  returned  to  liis  home  lo  [ireach  Jesus.  That 
was  the  bei> inning  of  a  A\'ork  >\'hieh,  notwithstand- 
ing almost  constant  perseeutions,  has  at  the  end 
of  thirty  ^-ears  grown  until  there  are  in  that  and 
an  adjoining  eounty  six  organized  ehurehes,  sup- 
plied with  well-educated  and  faithful  pastors, 
receiving  their  support  wholly  or  largely  from  the 
churches  they  serve.  There  are  also  a  number  of 
Christian  scIkjoIs  and  members,  scattered  singly 
or  in  groups,  over  much  territory. 

ITINERATION 

In  beginning  a  work  in  a  nvw  distiicl  where  all 
are  strangers  to  the  truth,  Barnabas  and  i*aul  have 
left  an  example  of  priceless  value. 

Traveling  from  city  to  city,  preaching  the  Gos- 
pel in  season  and  out  of  season,  at  the  inns,  tea- 
shops,  on  boats,  by  the  Avaysid(^  at  i)ublic  markets, 
to  crowds  and  to  individuals,  seeking  in  every  way 
to  disann  prejudice,  win  confidence,  and  make 
friends  especially  of  men  of  good  reputation  and 
zealous  of  good  Avorks, — all  this  will  soon  show 
the  wisdom  and  necessity  of  the  Lord's  command, 
''Be  ye  therefore  Avise  as  serpents  and  harndess  as 
doves." 

It  may  be  Avise  to  make  long  journeys,  remain- 
ing only  a  short  time  at  important  centres,  in 
order  to  get  an  accurate  knoAvledge  of  the  location 
of  the  cities,  toAvns  and  villages;  the  occu])ati()ns 
of  the  people,  their  virtues,  as  well  as  their  defects, 
in  order  to  consider  the  best  methods  likely  to 
influcMice  and  Avin  Ihe  ])eo])l(\  Unless  there  is  a 
strong  force  of  missionaries  and   trained  helpers 

48 


V  (}  If  II  -^  c  I      to     N  e  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  ii  a  r  i  c  x 

to  divide  the  field  and  be^iii  active  work  in  eacli 
section  of  it,  it  may  ]>e  best  for  a  time  to  confine 
tlie  work  to  a  limited  territory,  so  as  to  be  able 
to  visit  the  same  places  again  and  again,  at  short 
and  regular  intervals.  Systematic,  definite  and 
continuous  Avork  should  ever  be  kept  in  view.  The 
seed  must  not  only  be  widely  soAvn,  but  guarded 
like  fields  enclosed  by  walls  and  hedges. 

A  matter  of  vital  importance  is  to  make  fri(^nds 
in  every  place  of  tlie  children  and  youth,  and  seek 
to  influence  their  hearts  and  lives  by  the  stories  of 
Christ's  love.  His  life,  parables  and  precious  prom- 
is(\s.  Whoever  succeeds  in  winning  the  children's 
hearts  has  the  key  to  the  parents'  hearts. 

In  one  village,  AA'here  a  missionary  stopp(«d  for 
noon,  a  package  of  foreign  needles  distributed 
among  some  little  girls  playing  on  the  street,  soon 
brought  not  only  the  older  sisters,  but  the  mothers 
to  the  inn,  and  gave  an  opportunity  to  tell  them 
for  the  first  time  of  Jesus  and  His  love.  In  another 
village,  Avhere  the  night  Avas  spent,  the  sending  of 
a  Avell-printed  and  beautifully  illustrated  primer 
to  a  school  brought  all  the  teachers,  pupils  and 
their  parents  to  the  inn,  Avhere  they  hacl  an  oppor- 
tunity to  hear  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  'vFeed 
my  lambs,"'  Avas  the  commission  our  riscMi  Lord  first 
gave  to  Peter,  as  though  this  claimed  the  first  place 
in  pastoral  and  evangelistic  work.  ^^The  great 
man  is  lie  Avho  does  not  lose  his  child's  heart," 
said  Meucius. 

AVlien  and  AvhercA^er  hearts  are  opened  to  receive 
the  truth,  the  utmost  care  must  be  taken  promptly 
to  lead  the  soul  into  the  light,  establish  it  in  tin; 
faith,  and  guard  against  its  yielding  to  the  mani- 
fold temptations  Avhich  beset  the  young  convert. 

49 


('  o  It  II  s  ('  I      to      N  e  w      M  i  s  -s  /  o  ii  a  r  i  c  s 

BIBLE    AND    INQUIRY    CLASSES 

Ma^^  be  tlie  most  effective  and  praetieal  means 
of  instructiuo-  and  teacliiug  souls,  awakened  by 
the  truth.  Care  should  be  taken  to  arrange  for 
the  classes  at  a  time  which  will  least  interfere  with 
the  daily  vocations  of  the  p(M)]3le. 

Let  all  who  desire  to  kiiow  Jesus  be  cordially 
invited  to  come  for  a  month  or  more  as  guests  to 
the  class,  either  at  the  home  of  the  missionary  or 
in  some  central  station.  Let  all  who  are  able  to 
read  be  put  in  classes,  and  assigned  special  les- 
sons to  study  and  prepare  to  be  examined  upon. 
Those  who  cannot  read  must  be  taught  as  children 
in  the  kindergarten.  All  should  be  kept  busy  from 
morning  till  night,  learning  of  God  and  of  Jesus 
(Jhrist  and  what  is  involved  in  liidng  a  Christian 
life.  Scripture  texts  should  be  memorized  and  all 
taught  daily  to  pray  and  to  sing.  The  evenings 
ndght  be  profitably  spent  by  each  one  in  turn, 
repeating  a  Bible  story,  and  drawing  from  it  the 
lessons  intended  for  all.  Every  one  should  be  con- 
stantly instructed  in  the  indiAddual  responsibility 
of  every  s(ml  to  God,  and  the  o])ligation  he  is 
under  to  faithfully  teach  each  mend)er  of  his  own 
household  and,  so  far  as  possibh^  his  friends  and 
neighbors  the  truth  he  himself  lias  learned. 

It  may  be  Avell  to  invite  those  who  have  fully 
accepted  the  truth  and  shown  themselves  able  to 
teach  others  to  attend  yearly  advanced  classes  that 
they  be  trained  to  bcn-ome  efficient  and  Avell- 
instructed  station  leaders,  and  still  later  l)e  (juali- 
fied  to  hold  office  when  churcln^s  are  organized. 

All  who  receive  persons  into  I  he  ('hurch  on  a 
credible  profession  of  faith,  and  baptize  them  in 
the  name  of  the  Father  a^Ml  of  the  Son  and  of  tlic 


C  o  II  n  s  e  I     to     New     Mission  a  r  i  c  s 

Holy  Ghost,  .should,  with  all  their  hearts,  strive 
to  fully  obey  the  Saviour's  positive  injunction, 
''Teaching-  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever 
I  have  commanded  you."  To  stop  with  ba]jtism 
and  committing  the  young  converts  to  the  Lord's 
care,  and  leave  them  to  struggle  and  study  alone, 
perhaps  where  no  church  or  other  Christians  are 
within  reach,  is  to  assume  a  fearful  responsibility. 

Every  missionary  should  be  a  faithful  shepherd, 
and  strive  to  imitate  the  Good  Shepherd  of  whom 
Isaiah  prophesied,  ''He  shall  feed  His  flock  like 
a  shepherd;  He  shall  gather  the  lambs  Avith  His 
arm  and  carry  them  in  His  bosom."  ''The  care  of 
all  the  churches"  seemed  to  be  the  heaviest  work  of 
the  great  apostle. 

Is  not  one  of  the  lessons  taught  by  the  sudden 
and  terrible  persecution  Avhich  swept  over  North 
China  in  1900,  the  imperative  need  of  more  pas- 
toral oversight  and  grounding  in  scripturaltruth? 

If  all  the  converts  had  been  more  fully  instructed 
in  the  use  of  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  and  daily 
]U'ayerful  Avaiting  upon  (Jod,  probably  there  Avould 
liave  been  feAver  to  compromise  the  truth  or  deny 
Jesus  Avhen  the  missionaries  Avere  massacred  or 
compelled  to  flee  for  their  liA^es. 

NATIVE   EVANGELISTS 

Soundly  converted,  trustworthy,  'earnest  Bible 
students,  in  Avhose  hearts  there  is  a  quenchless  love 
for  Christ  and  love  for  souls,  Avill  be  found  of 
priceless  A-alue,  and  enable  the  faithful  missionary 
to  do  a  Avork  he  ucAcr  could  Iuiac  done  Avithout 
them. 

These  men  know  the  language:  they  understand 
their  own  people;  are  able  to  visit  homes  and  come 

51 


(J  o  It  n  s  c  I      to     N  e  w     M  i  s  s  }  o  n  <f  r  i  c  s 

ill  close  toncli  with  many,  as  tlie  most  <;ifted  mis- 
sionary eaiuiot  do.  They  can  lielp,  as  none  otljers 
can,  in  gnardin*;-  llie  Ohurcli  from  nnwortliy  mem- 
bers. They  can  <ro  out  into  the  higliways  and 
liedges;  search  for  tlie  sick,  the  aged,  the  helpless, 
and  ''compel  them  to  come"  to  Jesus,  as  no  otliers 
can. 

Tlie  missionary  who  has  had  the  joy  and  ])rivi- 
Icge  of  leading  men,  called  of  God,  to  know  and 
accept  of  Jesus,  and  of  hebping  to  educate  and 
train  tliem  for  el'fective  Avork,  will  love  tlu^u  as 
Paul  loved  Timothy  and  olliers  who  sliared  liis  love 
and  friendshi]>  and,  under  his  direction,  were  able 
to  organize  cliurclics  and  (U'dain  pastors  and  elders. 

In  assigning  the  native  helpers  their  S[)ecial 
fields  of  labor,  the  missionary  Avill,  nadirally,  visit 
and  be  a  co-laborer  with  them  whenever  ])ossible, 
and  will  try  to  arrange  for  tlieir  spiritual  nourish- 
ment and  growth  in  grace  by  assigning  special 
courses  of  Bible  siudy  to  carry  on  a't  all  times,  and 
A\  ill  have  all  to  meet  at  stated  periods,  for  a  few 
da,\'s  or  weeks,  for  tlie  si)ecial  study  of  (lod's  woi'd, 
for  prayer  and  conference  and  whatever  may  i)rom- 
ise  to  hasten  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom.  His 
joy  will  overtlow  when  the  churches  have  reached 
tlie  point  of  self-support  and  have  God-called  and 
({ualified  men  fitted  for  the  pastoral  oversight. 

EDUCATION 

Christian  schools  for  the  edncation  of  Wn'  chil- 
dren of  converts  and  for  others  who  can  be  per- 
suaded to  attend,  where  the  Bible  daily  hohls  an 
important  place,  are  a  necc^ssity  for  aggressive  and 
])ermanent  work.  I^hcry  missionary  who  is  called 
to   itinerat(i  and   sn[K'rintend    large  districts,   will 


(1  o  II  11  s  c  1      to     N  r  ir     M  }  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  .s- 

be  compelled  to  give  attention  to  the  establishment 
and  carrying  on  of  Christian  schools.  If  possible, 
the  educational  work  should  be  chiefly  under  the 
control  of  men  and  women  ^^'ho  love  this  work ; 
have  abilitj^  to  teach ;  and  thorouglilv  believe  in 
education  as  a  powerful  means  of  preaching  the 
Gospel  and  evangelizing  the  nations. 

Only  Christian  teachers,  established  in  the  faith, 
able  to  live  consistent  lives,  and  well  qualified  to 
teach,  sliould  be  employed.  They  should  be  taught 
how  best  to  instruct,  stimulate  and  encourage  every 
pupil  to  make  the  best  possible  use  of  every  hour, 
and  so  to  train  them  that,  whatever  may  be  their 
future  calling,  Jesus  will  ever  hold  the  chief  place 
in  their  thoughts  and  be  glorified  by  their  lives. 

Every  school  should  be  well  organized.  A  cur- 
riculum carefully  prepared  and  followed.  The 
pupils  should  be  carefully  examined  on  each  study 
by  the  missionary  or  some  qualified  and  reliable 
man.  A  careful  record  should  be  kept,  so  that  at 
a  glance  the  standing  and  conduct  of  each  pupil 
can  be  knovrn.  Discipline  should  be  enforced  and 
the  school  so  superintended  that  the  teacher, 
pupils,  parents  and  everybody  will  know  beyond  a 
doubt  that  such  schools  require  faithful  and  con- 
stant work  from  the  teacher  and  hard  work  from 
pupils,  and  that  idleness  and  failure  on  the  part 
of  anyone  means  dismissal  from  the  school. 

Better  have  no  schools  than  tliose  Avhere  no  true 
and  useful  education  is  given,  or  where  habits  of  in- 
dustry and  energy  are  not  formed.  There  should  be 
an  unceasing  guard  against  shalloAvness.  Heart- 
work  in  education  is  a  necessity.  Parents  should, 
from  fii-st  to  last,  be  taught  the  duty,  tlie  privilege 
and    blessing    of   each  doing  his  full  duty  in  con- 

53 


0  o  u  n  s  e  I     to     N  c  vr     .1/  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  .<? 

tril)nting  to  the  sni)p()rt  of  the  seliool.  Help  should 
only  folloAv  and  supplement  the  gifts  of  tlie  people 
themselves.  Every  Christian  convert  should  be  well 
grounded,  from  the  first,  in  regard  to  what  the 
Scriptures  teach  in  giving  to  the  support  of  the 
Gospel.  The  blessing  pr(miised  to  the  liberal  giver 
should  not  be  denied  even  to  those  in  the  deepest 
poverty. 

MEDICAL    WORK 

Jesus  "ordain(Ml  twelve  that  they  should  be  with 
Him,  and  that  He  might  send  them  forth  to  preach, 
and  He  gave  them  power  to  heal  sicknesses." 

There  can  be  no  question  as  to  the  imi)()rtanc(^ 
and   value  of  medical   work   as  a  powerful   (nan 
gelizing  agency. 

The  wards  of  a  hospital  certainly  give  a  grand 
opportunity  for  direct  personal  dealing  with  ])re 
cious  souls.  This  work  itself  is  a  form  of  preach- 
ing that  every  individual,  however  ignorant  or 
superstiticms,  can  understand  and  appreciate.  It 
is  a  visible  exem])lification  of  love,  the  greatest 
power  in  the  Avorld. 

In  the  year  ISTl  it  was  my  gr(\nt  privilege  to 
spend  some  time  Aviih  tlu^  late  Dr.  J.  (i.  Kerr  at 
Canton,  and  witness  his  method  of  work. 

On  dis]>ensing  days  all  who  came  for  treatment 
first  enterc^d  iho  chapel  and  wc^^e  seated  in  the 
order  of  arrival.  Evangelists  took  (urns  in  preach- 
ing, telling  of  th(^  great  ])hysi(ian  (►f  souls,  and 
pressing  tlie  truth  u])on  every  hearer.  AVIkmi  the 
hour  arriv(Hl  to  (qx'ii  ilie  dis])ensary,  ten  ])ersons 
at  a  time,  in  tlu^  order  in  which  they  arriv(Ml,  were 
allowed  to  i)ass  Hirough  a  side-door,  whirh  led  into 
the  dis])(Misary.     Tliey  were  received   by  Icn   iialiNc 


C  o  II  n  R  c  1     to     N  c  in     Miss 


%  o  n  a  r  i  c  >' 


physicians,  in  independent  practice  eitlier  in  the  city 
or  adjacent  towns.  These  men  had  receiAed  their 
medical  instruction  from  Dr.  Kerr  and,  instead 
of  paying  tuition,  liad  pledged  themselves  to  return 
on  dispensing  days  and  give  their  services  free 
during  a  period  of  three  years.  The  native  doctors 
were  able  to  deal  with  the  great  majority  of  tlie 
patients;  only  the  most  difficult  cases  were  shown 
into  Dr.  Kerr's  room.  He  either  prescribed  for 
them,  or  sent  them  to  the  hospital.  Upward  of 
two  hundred  came  each  day  dur-ing  my  visit  ther(\ 
The  hospital,  at  that  time,  had  accommodation 
for  one  hundred  patients,  and  every  bed  was  occu- 
l)ied.  Dr.  Kerr  seemed  to  improve  every  moment 
during  the  day.  His  skill  in  surgery  lias  given 
liim  a  world-wide  reputation.  When  not  using  the 
knife,  his  frequent  visits  among  the  patients  and 
kindly  and  sympathetic  greetings  seemed  to  bring 
joy  and  liope  to  all  the  suffering  ones.  Often  was 
he  seen  kneeling  beside  a  bed,  in  earnest  prayer, 
and  telling  of  the  Saviour's  love. 

All  the  native  physicians  nnd  nurses  seemed  to 
know  jnst  what  to  do,  and,  like  tlieir  cliief,  c<m- 
cerned  for  both  the  body  and  soul  of  every  patient. 

Every  day  of  the  week,  and  (wery  hour,  seemed 
to  be  spent  in  trying  to  saA  e  life,  alleviate  suffering, 
and  in  preacliing  an<l  living  the  (Jospel  ns  Christ 
preached  and  lived  it. 

On  Sabbath  morning,  after  prayei's  wiili  the 
patients,  I  went  Avith  Dr.  Kerr  to  a  large  cliapel, 
on  a  great  thoroughfare.  As  so(m  as  the  door  was 
opened,  people  began  to  assemble,  and  continued 
until  I  had  counted  al)0ut  fiAe  hundred  persons. 
^Fany  of  i\wm  had  been  treated  at  the  dispensary 
or  hospital,  or  some  of  their  kindred  and  friends 

55 


G  o  u  n  s  e  I     to     N  e  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  n 

had,  and  tJiey  folt  that  the  doctor  was  tlieir  true 
friend  and  wouhl  not  deceive  them. 

Dr.  Kerr  took  the  story  of  the  prodigal  son  as  his 
subject,  and  spoke  Avith  such  tremendous  earnest- 
ness that  all  were  compelled  to  listen,  and  the 
majority  of  the  audience  remained  seated  until  he 
had  finished. 

Dr.  Kerr  came  to  China  Avium  a  young  man, 
after  taking  tlie  most  thorougli  course  in  medicine 
our  country  afforded.  He  prepared  himself  by 
such  a  thorough  study  of  the  language,  as  not  only 
to  be  able  to  speak  well,  but  also  to  be  able  to  trans- 
late and  w^rite  medical  text-books  and  train  class 
after  class  in  medicine  in  tlieir  native  tongue. 
He  also  knew  liis  Bible  thoroughly;  believed  witli 
his  whole  heart  that  the  imperative  need  of  every- 
one is  to  knoAv  Christ,  and  continued  for  forty- 
seven  years  to  glorify  his  Saviour,  by  giAdng  him- 
self so  unreservedly  to  saving  the  bodies  and  souls 
of  the  Chinese  that,  except  in  emergency  cases,  he 
liad  no  time  to  engage  in  practice  in  tlie  families 
of  foreign  merchants,  officials  and  others  who 
would  gladly  liave  paid  richly  for  the  skill  of  such 
a  physician  but  who  had  other  doctors. 

The  missionary  physicians  should  have  the 
hearty  sympathy  and  coo])(M'ati<m  of  all  co-laborers. 
And  this  should  be  mutual. 

The  ordained  men,  natiA^e  evangelists,  Bible 
AA^omen  and  all  chnrch  nuMnbca-s  should  unite,  S(» 
far  as  possible,  in  visiting  honu^s,  ilincM^aiing,  and 
in  every  Avay  make  the  luost  of  the  good  impres- 
sions made  by  the  medical  work,  and  present  to  all 
the  diAnn(^  remedA^  for  sin-sick  s<mi1s. 


C  o  11  n  s  c  I     t  o     N  c  10     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  .s' 

IN    CONCLI\SION 

xVll  should  constantly  remember  that  ''there  is 
diversity  of  gifts,  but  the  same  spirit/- 

WateliAvords  for  all  coming  yenrs  should  be  hid- 
den in  every  heart.  More  love  for  Christ;  stronger 
faith;  instant  obedience  to  the  call  of  duty;  ever 
about  ''my  Father's  business." 

"Without  ]\Ie  ye  can  do  nothing";  "I  can  do  all 
things  through  Christ  which  strengtheneth  me"; 
"For  the  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save 
that  which  was  lost." 

(3ur  resources  are  in  God  Avith  whom  "all  things 
are  possible."  "I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  for- 
sake thee." 

All  must  "lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set  before  us, 
which  hope  we  have,  as  an  anchor  to  the  soul,  both 
sure  and  steadfast." 

There  must  be  wise  adaptation  to  ]3resent  condi- 
tions. IMethods  successful  in  former  years  may 
require  modificati(m  or  entire  change. 

Every  missionary  is  called  upon  to  "endure  hard- 
ness as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ."  Every 
believer  is  chosen  to  be  a  soldier,  and  must  strive 
lawfully  for  masteries.  "The  weapons  of  our  v.ar- 
far(^  are  not  carnal,  but  mighty  through  God  to 
the  pulling  down  of  strongholds."  Yet,  valuable 
lessons  may  be  learned  from  military  life,  A  field 
officer  conducting  a  campaign  aims  for  impreg- 
nal)]e  positions.  A  missionary  must  plan  to  attack 
heathenism  in  strongholds,  and  plan  for  victory. 
An  aggressive  and  incessant  struggle  cannot  be 
long  carried  on  by  remaining  in  fortified  i^ositions. 

Lord  Kitchener's  conquest  of  the  Soudan  was 
preceded  by  years  of  the  most  careful  and  pains- 
taking preparation.     "So  carefully  Avere  the  dif- 


Counsel      to     N  c  /r      .1/  /  .9  .s-  /  o  ]i  a  y  /  r  s 

ferejit  l)r;niclies  of  the  sc^rvice  coordiiiated,  so  tlior- 
ouglily  did  each  serve  and  support  every  other 
arm,  that  the  invasion  went  forward  with  all  the 
irresistible  steadiness  of  a  tidal  wave."  Napoleon 
Avon  victories  by  concentrating  liis  troops  on  one 
point.  The  ablest  general  cannot  conquer  without 
well-trained  and  loyal  soldiers.  Neither  can  the 
missionary  accomplish  his  work  unaided  and  alone. 
I  lis  study  si  ion  Id  ever  be  to  develop  and  employ  to 
to  tlu^  utmost  the  talents  of  every  member,  so  as 
to  ably  assist  in  the  Church's  development  and 
aggressive  work.  There  should  be  united  hearts, 
gcMiuiiH^  sympathy  and  coopei-ation  among  all  the 
missi(uiaries  and  native  mend)ers.  Each  one  should 
do  his  utmost  to  make  Christ  glorious,  and  unceas- 
ingly remember  that  "Where  the  S])irit  of  the  Lord 
is,  there  is  liberty."  Each  is  called  to  be  an  and)as- 
sador  for  Christ,  and  use  the  sj)ecial  talent  God 
has  given  him  to  lead  men  to  Christ.  The  Church 
is  (^hrist's  body.  Every  mend)er  has  its  specific 
w<nic.  "To  every  man  his  work,"  is  the  divine 
order.  Everyone  who  thanks  Cod,  as  Paul  did, 
for  appointing  him  a  preacher — and  "a  teacher  of 
the  Gentiles" — \y\\\  be  so  intent  in  running  the 
race  set  before  him,  "ev(*r  looking  UTito  Jesus  the 
Author  and  Finisher  of  (mr  failli,"  that  tlu^re  Avill 
b(^  no  room  for  jc^alousy,  ouyy  and  cold  criticism, 
which  ave  like  a  dagg(M'  to  tlu^  sensitive  hearl. 

The  keynole  to  all  noble  character  is  mas1(^rly 
self-control.  T^ailure  here  means  to  be  a  ca])tive. 
Strife  among  mivssiimaries  is  a  fearful  obslacle  I0 
the  sprea<l  of  the  Gosj^el  and  the  death-blow  !(►  Mm' 
calmness,  ])eac(^  atid  mnhial  help,  all  S(>  miicli 
needed. 


C  0  II  II  X  r  I      t  o      X  r  ir      ^f  i  .s-  s  i  o  ji  <i  r  i  e  x 

Hap])y  iiul(HHl  is  the  missionary  avIio  lias  learned 
the  art  of  living  at  peace  Avith  his  colleagues  and 
with  all  others.  Much  of  the  happiness  of  life 
consists  in  the  ability  to  make  true  and  lasting 
friends,  and  being  able  to  keep  friendship  always 
in  good  repair.  This  requires  such  a  bridling  of 
the  tongue  as  to  remain  silent  in  regard  to  each 
other's  weaknesses,  and  to  be  tolerant  and  tender 
in  regard  to  points  of  difference.  What  a  changed 
wor-ld  this  would  be  if  it  could  be  said  of  eyery 
Christian  as  Solomon  said  of  the  yirtuous  Ayomnn, 
''In  her  tongue  is  the  law  of  kindness." 

Obedience  to  Christ's  often-repeated  command, 
''Loye  one  another,"  will  help  us  to  obey  the  com- 
ma n<ls,  ''Be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender-heart(Hl, 
forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God,  for  Christ's 
sake,  hath  forgiyen  you."  "Let  the  word  of  Christ 
dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  Avisdom."  "And  let  the 
peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts." 


59 


rREREQUIHITIJS  AND  PRIXOIPLJJ^^  OF 
EVANGELIZA  TION 

By  the  Rev.  S.  A.  Moffett,  D.  Z),,  o/  Korea 

rjno  the  missionary,  of  all  persons,  is  given  the 
position  of  greatest  privilege,  provided  that 
his  whole  heart  and  life  are  given  nnreservedly  to 
the  preaching  of  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Cihrist. 
He  cannot  undnly  magnify  his  office,  for  he  is  'Hlie 
glory  of  Christ.''  In  so  far  as  he  appreciates  the 
greatness  and  the  honor  of  his  calling,  just  so  far 
will  he  appreciate  also  his  own  insufficiency,  and 
thus  be  led,  in  all  sincerity,  to  seek  that  sufficiency 
which  is  in  Christ. 

Twelve  years  on  the  mission  field,  in  the  midst 
of  a  work  which  Avonderfnlly  evidc^nces  the  great 
power  of  the  (lospel  as  the  God-ordained  means 
for  the  salvation  of  man,  have  impressed  me  with 
the  profound  importance^  of  a  few  ideas  which 
should  dominate  tlie  missionary  ami  determine  the 
attitude  of  mind  nnd  the  sj)irit  most  essential  to 
him. 

I  shall  ever  be  grateful  to  Dr.  TTerrick  Johnson 
for  the  expression,  '^V  vivid  and  abiding  sense  of 
the  divine  reality  of  the  (Josjx'l  message,"  for 
therein  he  has  clearly  expresscnl  what  it  is  most 
im])ortant  that  the  missioimry  should  cultivate. 

The  mnn  who  has  obtaincMl  from  a  reverent  study 
of  the  Scripl  lives,  ns  llic  W'oi-d  of  (Jod,  a  deeji 
imjn-ession  of  the  excecMling  sinfulness  of  sin,   of 

CO 


r  0  It  n  H  c  I      t  <)      N  c  ir      .]/  /  x  .y  /  (,  u  a  r  j  c  y^ 

the  {n\f Illness  of  its  pimisliment,  the  wrath  of  Ood, 
of  tlie  reality  of  repentance,  and  of  God's  promise 
of  absolute  remission  of  sin  to  the  truly  penitent, 
of  the  one  and  only  way  of  salvation  through  faith 
in  Christ;  Avho  has  reached  the  profound  convic- 
tion that  God  is  able  and  willing  to  save  all  who 
come  unto  Him  by  Christ,  and  that  this  gospel 
only  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation;  and  who 
cond)iues  with  this  a  vivid  and  an  ahidlng  sense  of 
the  rcaliiu  of  these  truths,  has  the  first  and  chief 
rtMiuisite  for  usefulness  as  a  missionary,  a  requi- 
site without  which,  however  energetic  and  gifted 
and  studious  he  may  be,  he  will  fail  to  aifect  pro- 
foundly the  people  to  whimi  he  goes;  that  is,  affect 
profoundly  for  tlieir  salvation. 

One  needs  to  cultivate  and  conserve  this  con- 
viction, for  upon  this  Satan  makes  his  chief  attack, 
knowing  that  in  so  far  as  he  weakens  this  convic- 
tion, in  so  far  he  has  blunted  the  most  formidable 
weapon  in  the  hands  of  the  missionary  in  his  war- 
fare against  sin  and  Satan's  dominion  over  heathen- 
dom. 

I  am  convinced  that  the  greatest  need  to-day  is 
nnijuestioning  reliance  upon  the  gospel  itself,  the 
\Vord  of  God  in  its  principal  teachings  of  Sin  and 
Salvation;  a  belief  that  Avhen  God  ordained  that 
by  the  foolishness  of  preaching  men  ^^'ere  to  be 
saved.  He  ordained  that  Aviiich  He  knew  to  be  the 
best  agency  for  the  leading  of  men  to  Christ;  a 
beilief  that  the  Spirit  of  God  does  and  will  honor 
tlie  use  of  tlie  Word  of  God  alone,  and  that  in  so 
far  as  Ave  trust  in  seconihiry  agencies  for  reclaim- 
ing the  heathen,  in  so  far  Ave  have  glA^en  up  faith 
in  the  primary  agency,  and  have  preA^ented  th(^ 
Spirit  of  God  from  making  use  of  tliat  Avhich  God 

61 


Co  II  II  s  ('  1      if)      y  ('  ir       ]/  j  s  s  i  n  it  (I  r  i  c  s 

ordained  should  be  the  iiieaiis  for  the  salvatiou  of 
the  Avorld. 

I  believe  tliat  what  has  militated  most  against 
the  evangelization  of  the  world  has  been  a  lack  of 
faith  in  the  power  of  the  gospel  itself,  a  belief 
(not  acknowledged,  nor  consciously  held,  but  never- 
theless real)  that  there  liiust  be  something  used 
as  a  bait  to  bring  people  undc^r  the  power  of  the 
gospel,  that  secondary  agencies  which  appeal  to 
the  natural  man  must  be  used  as  an  attraction 
which  will  dispose  favorably  to  a  hearing  of  the 
gos])el,  and  that  tlicn  the  gosjiel  is  to  be  presented. 

There  has  been  too  often  a  relegating  of  the 
gospel  (not  avowedly,  but  practically)  to  the 
secondary  place,  an  elimination  to  too  large  an 
extent  of  the  very  means  and  tlu^  only  means  Avhich 
the  Spirit  of  Ood  has  given  us  to  believe  that  He 
will  use  to  bring  souls  into  reconciliation  with 
God. 

The  missionary  needs  to  cultivate,  by  thought 
and  prayer  and  reading,  this  conviction  as  to  the 
primary  place  of  the  gospel,  making  it  a  practical 
reality  in  his  mental  and  s])iritual  life,  and  watch- 
ing constantly  against  everything  that  may  tend 
to  weaken  this  conviction. 

AVitli  such  a  conviction  dominating  one's  life 
and  deepening  as  the  years  go  by,  and  with  the 
determinaticm  to  make  it  the  one  chief  interest, 
the  all-absoi'bing  task  of  one's  life  to  jireach  this 
gospel  and  to  bi-ing  it  into  contact  with  the  people, 
knoAving  for  a  certtainty  that  it  cannot  fail  to  have 
its  effect  u])on  their  heai'ls  and  lives,  the  missionary 
has  before  him  a  field  of  elfoi't  which  ]>romises  a 
life  of  the  ycvy  greatest  satisfaction  and  ha])piness. 

He  will  lind,  however,  that  coincident  with  this 

(V.i 


(*  0  K  II  X  c  I     i  o     N  (•  if     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

life  there  will  be  required  the  maintenance  of  his 
own  spiritual  life,  the  deepening  of  his  own  spiri- 
tual convictions,  and  the  resistance  of  most  subtle, 
unexpected  and  unprovided-for  temptations. 

Should  his  field  of  labor  be  in  a  treaty  port  or 
in  a  cit}^  where  he  is  brought  much  into  contact 
with  the  Avorld  of  western  life  and  institutions,  he 
will  find  one  set  of  temptations,  while  if  in  the 
interior,  isolated  from  all  contact  with  the  western 
world,  and  thrown  for  companionship  upon  the 
resources  of  a  small  missionary  community  and  the 
native  Chfistians,  he  will  meet  with  other  tempta- 
tions, less  marked,  but,  perhaps,  so  much  the  more 
insidious. 

If  the  former,  the  Master's  prayer  for  us  tliat 
though  in  the  world  we  may  be  kept  from  the  evil 
must  be  ever  before  us.  -One  cannot  be  too  par- 
ticular in  keeping  out  of  touch  with  the  evil  of  the 
world;  in  maintaining  that  sanctity  of  character 
which  makes  the  things  of  the  world  something 
apart  from  his  life,  even  though  brought  into  con- 
tact with  men  of  the  world  in  many  relations.  Dr. 
Maltbie-  Babcock's  reasons  for  not  smoking  give 
expression  to  a  principle  upon  which  many  of  the 
temptations  to  a  conformity  to  the  world  can  be 
met  and  conquered:  ^'A  man  cannot  afford  as  the 
ambassador  of  Christ  to  compromise  his  influence 
for  that  wliich  is  highest,  holiest,  best.'' 

The  natural,  frank,  sincerely  courteous  and  po- 
lite attitude  of  one  whose  life  has  been  lifted  above 
an  inner  contact  with  the  world,  however  much  of 
associaticm  there  may  be  necessarily  in  the  daily 
life,  is  the  attitude  which  will  establish  and  main- 
tain one's  spiritual  influence.  The  ''Sky  Pilot"  Avas 
in  closest  sympathy  and  touch  with  his  fellow-men, 

63 


('  o  //  11  s  ('  J      i  ()     N  (•  in      .]/  i  s  s  i  o  n  <i  r  i  c  v 

but  Avholly  unloiiclicd  by  (lie  evil  which  surroniid- 
ed  liiin  aiid  eiii;iil fed  them. 

No'  man  can  maintain  this  attitnde  and  exert  a 
real  spiritnal  influence  under  sucli  circumstances 
unless  he  sjkmuIs  much  time  in  counnunion  with  the 
^Master  in  pra,yei'  and  devotional  readinj^-,  and  he 
N\lio  must  necessarily  spend  a  part  of  his  tiiue  in 
such  contact  with  the  world  needs  to  spend  a  <loubl(^ 
portion  of  time  in  contact  wiih  the  holi(^st  and  ])ur- 
est  in  order  to^  c(mnteract  tlie  unconscious  deterior- 
ation in  his  own  spiritual  ideals. 

Doubtless  the  inissionary  has  a.  duty  to  his  fel- 
low-countrymen on  mission  lields,  but  a  far  <;T(!ater 
and  more  iui porta nt  duty — the  primary  duty — 
which  faces  him  is  that  of  coining,'  into  contact  with 
and  living  for  the  native  peopk^  His  felloA\-coun- 
trymen,  however  much  in  need  of  sjuritiuil  iuHu- 
(^nce,  have  all  heard  the  (Jospel,  aud  the  missionai'y 
is  tliere  primarily  that  h(?  uuiy  [U'each  the  Gospel 
to  tluise  who  have  not  heard;  and  nothing-  ought  to 
stand  between  liim  and  the  close  contact  with  them, 
the  sympathetic  (>intrance  iuto  theii-  inner  life,  their 
ways  of  thinking,  their  weaknesses,  i)rejudi,ces  and 
preferences,  their  trials,  sorrows  and  spiritual 
struggles. 

We  must  cultivate  a  real  h)ve  and  syuipathy,  not 
an  abstract  interest,  in  the  heathen  as  so  many 
people  to  be  converted,  baptized  and  reported  upon 
as  so  much  in  th('  way  of  mission  assets,  but  a  liv- 
ing, real,  close,  syuipathelic  touch  with  individuals 
with  a  view  tO'  the  transfonuing  of  their  lives 
through  a  personal  faith  in  Ohrisi.  This  is  souuv 
thing  which  ca.nuot  be  fcMgiK^l  ;  it  luust  be  real,  for 
h(*a(h(^n  are  like  childreu  iu  that  they  know  iidui- 
tively  whether  you  love  Ihem.     Such  a  real  sy!n])a- 

04 


G  o  i(  n  s  e  1     to     N  e  w     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

tliY  and  love  iiinst  be  the  outgrowth  of  deep  per- 
sonal convictions  of  truth  and  of  a  personal  life  of 
faith  and  of  fellowship  with  Christ. 

Given  this  synipathv  and  love,  recognized  b}^  the 
people,  and  one's  influence  can  be  tremendously  ex- 
erted as  an  influence  for  righteousness.  Plain, 
frank  presentation  of  the  truth  of  their  awful  con- 
dition in  sin  and  of  their  personal  responsibility 
will  1)0  met  Avitli  deepest  respect  for  tlie  man,  even 
though  the  message  rouses  anger  and  hatred  against 
the  plain  truth  spoken.  Erring,  sinning  Christians 
nmy  be  most  plainly  and  firmly  dealt  with,  and  they 
will  love  and  respect  you,  even  though  they  may 
deepljT^  resent  the  admonition  and  discipline  admin- 
istered. 

V^e  need  to  cultivate  a  strong  faith,  a  victorious, 
enthusiastic  faith — a  faith  in  the  power  of  the  Gos- 
pel itself  to  carry  conviction  to  the  heart  of  any 
man  and  to  do  for  the  heathen  all  that  it  has  done 
and  now  does  for  us.  We  need  to  believe  and  act 
upon  the  belief  that  it  can  transform  character, 
lead  to  true  repentance  and  hatred  of  sin,  give 
strength  to  resist  temptation  and  overcome  sin,  up- 
hold in  a  consistent  Christian  life,  and  comfort  and 
sustain  in  the  midst  of  persecution,  trial,  sorrow 
and  loss. 

In  the  face  of  prominent  failures,  in  spite  of  dis- 
appointments, one  needs  to  grasp  with  a  firm  faith 
the  fact  that  the  Spirit  of  God  can  and  does  shoAv 
his  own  great  power  in  the  lives  of  others  and  that 
through  the  exercise  of  faith  these  people  can  and 
do  reach  the  same  heights  of  spiritual  attainment 
and  enter  into  the  same  appreciation  of  spiritual 
truth  which  we  do.  Alas !  too  many  lose  faith,  ex- 
pect little,  grow  almost  discouraged.     I  am  in  re- 

65 


Counsel     to     N  e  to     Missionaries 

ceipt  of  a  letter  from  a  friend  in  another  mission, 
whO'  writes  of  "some  Avliom  long  years  of  waiting 
have,  ratlier,  not  discouraged,  but  disciplined  to  ex- 
pect little.''  Against  such  a  state  of  nund  I  would 
stride  with  incessant  prayer.  However  long  the 
period  of  Awaiting,  I  believe  we  should  cultivate  a 
faith  which  expects  great  things  and  knows  that 
God  Avill  grant  great  things.  Faith  is  the  evidence 
of  things  not  seen,  and  although  the  results  may  not 
have  come,  the  Spirit-filled  vision  can  see  them,  and 
with  a  buoyant  enthusiasm  can  conquer  all  feelings 
of  depression  and  discouragement.  The  heart  is 
taken  out  of  one^s  s^ork;  it  becomes  mere  routine 
and  drudgery  if  faith  has  been  undermined. 

Enthusiastic  faith  should  be  cultivated.  Enthu- 
siasm may  be  more  natural  to  some  natures  than 
to  others,  but  it  is  an  element  which  adds  to  one's 
influence  for  good  and  tO'  one/s  power  in  communi- 
cating faith  and  zeal.  TIow  a^rcal  faith  can  fail  of 
entlmsiasm  is  a  mystery  to  me.  There  is  far  more 
of  unbelief  in  our  minds  than  we  are  often  aware 
of,  and  this  unconscious  or  unrecognized  unbelief 
will  often  explain  the  failure^  to  receive  a  blessing. 
"He  could  not  do  many  mighty  works  there  because 
of  their  nnhcliefJ' 

God  delights  to  honor  faith.  He  cannot  work 
mightily  in  the  presence  of  unbelief.  Our  own  lack 
of  faith  shuts  out  the  power  of  God. 

I  would  urge  also  concentration  of  effort  upon 
the  one  gTcat  object  of  the  missionary's  life,  viz. : 
tlie  evangelization  of  the  people.  Here  the  tempta- 
tions are  innumeral)le,  but  recognizing  one's  limita- 
tious  and  knowing  that  he  cannot  be  a  specialist 
in  many  departments,  if  he  is  to  give  himself  pri- 
marily to  the  evangelization  of  the  people,  he  must 


Counsel     to     N  e  tv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  7'  i  c  s 

be  willing  to  cut  himself  off  from  many  attractive 
lines  of  study  in  order  that  he  may  acquire  the  lan- 
guage well,  may  give  thorough  study  to  the  Bible, 
and  may  have  time  for  contact  Avitli  and  life  among 
the  people. 

The  temptations  to  turn  aside  from  the  one  gTeat 
commission  to  ^'preach  the  Word''  are  constant  and 
plausible.  Education,  literature,  language,  science, 
history  and  philanthropy  all  present  their  claims, 
and  unless  they  are  determinedly  recognized  as  sec- 
ondary or  as  side  issues  and  kept  in  their  proper 
place,  they  will  supersede  the  primary  work  in  the 
amount  of  time  and  effort  that  they  monopolize  and 
will  relegate  that  which  is  first  to  the  second  place. 
Even  the  education  of  men  with  a  view  to  the  min- 
istry, an  essential  part  of  the  evangelistic  work, 
may  become  merely  educational  instead  of  evangel- 
istic— education  rather  than  evangelization  becom- 
ing the  end. 

Often  tlie  side  issue  is  taken  up  as  a  recreation 
tlioroughly  legitimate  and  profitable,  but  these  side 
isKues  are  always  what  appeal  to  the  natural  man 
and  before  one  knows  it  his  zeal  for  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel  has  become  cooled,  his  chief  work 
loses  its  attraction,  and  his  main  interest  is  being 
abso]  bed  in  the  side  issue,  while  the  spiritual  work, 
the  soul  and  soul  contact  with  the  heathen,  becomes 
a  sort  of  drudgery  or  mere  professional  work.  What 
we  need  is  to  have  our  life  interest,  our  all-absorb- 
ing passion  the  work  of  soul-saving,  of  soul-develop- 
ing. AVhen  one's  best  efforts  go  into  some  secon- 
dary line  of  work  his  power  for  evangelization  has 
been  suJTendered.  There  are  a  few  of  course  whose 
time  must  be  given  to  literary  work  in  the  transla- 
tion of  the  Scriptures,  preparation  of  Christian  lit- 

67 


C  o  u  li  s  c  I     to     N  e  ID     M  i  s  ,9  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

erature  and  text-books,  and  to  the  educational  and 
medical  T^ork  as  factors  in  the  i>reat  work  of  evan- 
gelization, Imt  this  is  tlie  call  of  bnt  few. 

The  temptations  to  separate  one^s  self  from  the 
first  and  most  essential  work  of  the  direct  eyanoeli- 
zation  of  a  people  are  so  constant,  so  plausible,  so 
insidious,  that  it  will  require  tlie  most  i>ositive  con- 
victions, the  most  exalted  idea  of  tlie  magnitude  of 
the  office,  the  most  careful  cultivation  of  a  deter- 
mination not  to  be  turned  aside,  if  one  does  not  find 
himself  yielding  to  these  temptations  and  settling 
down  to  a  life  of  routine  work  apart  from  the  peo- 
ple, to  a  contact  with  very  few,  to  a  life  supposedly 
of  more  far-reaching  influence,  relegating  the  direct 
evangxdistic  work  to  a  secondary  place  and  leaving 
it  to  be  carried  on  only  by  the  native  preachers 
and  helpers. 

The  time  will  come  when  th(^  native  church  will 
be  al)le  to  cope  ^x\t\\  the  problem  of  evangelization; 
but  with  the  great  mass  of  heathen  in  China,,  India, 
Korea,  Japan,  Africa  and  elsewhere,  who  have  not 
y(^t  even  heard  of  the  gospel,  the  missionary  must 
himself  preach  the  gospel  and  c^staldish  the  church 
as  his  first  work,  in  the  belief  that  the  gospel  itself 
is  the  primary  need  of  the  heathen  world.  Then 
will  the  churcli  thus  established  be  imbued  with  the 
same  belief  and  become  a,  great  evangelizing  agen- 
cy. 

In  order  to  do  this  certain  distinctions  must  be 
clearly  made  and  kept  constantly  in  mind.  One 
must  clearly  see  that  reformatio)}  l^  not  redemp- 
tion. Salvation  from  sin,  not  mere  moral  reforma- 
tion, is  the  essence  of  the  gospel  message.  Again, 
CmiUzation  in  not  Christian  it  1/.  Western  ideas, 
customs  and  inventions  are  not  an  essential  part  of 

G8 


C  o  II  11  fi  c  I      to     N  ('  in     M  i  -'^  ,S'  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

Christianity.  In  fact,  many  Oriental  ideas  and  cus- 
toms conform  mucli  more  nearh^  to  the  scriptural 
ideas  than  do  somei  of  the  peculiar  notions  and  cus- 
toms of  the  AA'estern  world,  and  the  introduction 
of  much  that  is  considered  a  part  of  Western  Civili- 
zation is  a  hindrance  rather  tlian  a  help  to  spiritual 
life.  A\'e  are  not  commissioned  to  introduce  West- 
ern Civilization,  but.  Scriptural  Christianity. 

/vnother  vital  distinction  to  be  made  is  that  Edu- 
cation Z.*^  not  Bcfjcncration.  We  are  not  called  upon 
to  provide  a  secuhir  education  for  heathen,  but  we 
are  conimissioned  tO'  preach  the  gospel  to  the  heath- 
en and  to  establish  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ.  AVe 
might  educate  the  heathen  for  centuries  and  yet  fail 
to  establish  the  church,  but  we  cannot  establish  the 
churcli  without  sei^ng  Christian  education  for  its 
own  people  a  natural  and  necessary  outgrowth. 

We  need  to  recognize  also  tlmt  we  are  not  sent  to 
apologize  for  Clirist  or  for  Christianity.  We  are  to 
proclaim  Ilim  and  it.  We  can  rest  upon  the  self- 
evidencing  power  of  the  Bible,  upon  the  teacliing  of 
nature  and  conscience  as  to  the  existence  of  God 
and  tlie  fact  of  sin.  We  need  not  argue  these  points, 
but  preach  what  God  has  revealed,  believing  that 
the  Spirit  of  God,  not  our  arguments,  will  convict 
of  sin  and  lead  to  faith  in  Christ.  God,  the  inspira- 
ti(m  of  the  Scriptures,  sin,  and  man's  need  of  salva- 
tion, are  facts  to  be  proclaimed,  not  propositions  to 
be  proved.  Let  us  accept  Dr.  Chalmers'  statement 
aiid  act  upon  it :  "We  firmly  believe  that  there  is 
uo  one  i)osition  in  theology  which  can  be  more 
strongly  and  more  philosophically  sustained  than 
the  self-evidencing  power  of  the  Bible." 

There  is  need  on  the  mission  field  of  men  who  will 
not  compromise  with  sin — men  whO'  will  set  up  the 

69 


Counsel     to     New     ]\I  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  -s- 

scriptural  standard  which  God  lias  set  up  and  will 
not  deviate  one  whit  from  that  standard  in  their  re- 
quirements. Whatever  may  be  the  peculiar  con- 
ditions in  heathendom,  we  have  no  authority  for  let- 
ting down  the  divine  standard  on  moral  questions, 
on  the  marriage  relation,  on  drunkenness,  on  tlie 
Sahbath.  Lenient  and  loving  as  we  may  be  in  deal- 
ing Avith  Christians  who  have  fallen  into  sin  and 
come  short  of  the  requirements  of  God's  law,  yet  in 
the  discipline  of  those  who  sin,  the  failure  to  set 
up  the  one  standard  and  to  brand  as  sin  anything 
short  of  that  standard,  is  to  undermine  the  Y>iiole 
foundation  of  Christian  morality  and  Christian 
character,  and  to  build  a  church  on  no  spiritual 
foundations,  Aveak,  and  powerless  as  a  moral  or 
spiritual  force.  Better  for  a  Gideon's  band  of  men 
thorouglily  determined  to  strive  for  the  highest  and 
holiest  attainments  along  these  lines  than  a  whole 
host  of  nominal  Christians,  satisfied  to  come  short, 
taught  that  they  may  Avitli  impunity  come  short  of 
the  divine  standard — men  who  have  committed 
spiritual  suicide  by  a  deliberate^'  .giving  up  of  the 
law  of  God  as  the  standard  of  Christian  living. 
"Never  couple  faith  in  the  atonement  of  Christ  with 
a  feeling  of  security  in  the  violation  of  a  single  coin- 
mandment,''  is  an  exhortation  given  by  Dr.  Chal- 
mers, which  we  need  to  reflect  upon. 

A  missionary  should  be  willing  to  make  great 
personal  sacrifice  for  the  work's  sake.  The  life  of 
sacrifice  only  hcf/ins  with  the  rcniunciation  of  the 
home  land  and  th(i  sharing  of  the  lives  of  loved  onc^s 
at  home  when  all  the  ties  formed  from  childhood  up 
to  tlu^'  time  of  departure  for  the  field  are  broken. 
ITard  as  that  one  supreme  act  of  sacrifice  may  sex^n, 
it  is  vastly  easicn-  than  to  lead  a  life  of  daily  sacri- 

70 


C  o  u  )i  s  c  I     to     N  e  IV     Missionaries 

fice,  of  daily  self-renunciation,  of  daily  self-efface- 
ment for  the  ^^'o^k's  sake;  and  yet  perhaps  no  one 
attitude  of  mind  will  do  more  towards  making  one 
a  telling"  factor  in  the  Avork  and  a  helpful,  useful, 
lovable  member  of  a  mission  station. 

The  relation  to  one's  fellow  missionaries  is  one 
of  the  most  delicate  and  yet  most  pertinent  ques- 
tions A^•hicll  meets  one  on  tlie  mission  field — a  ques- 
tion of  daily  and  hourly  importance.  One^s  fellow- 
workers  are  not  of  one's  own  choosing.  The  exi- 
genci(\s  of  the  work  and  the  conditions  of  tlie  field, 
notliis  own  personal  preferences, determine  who  are 
to  be  his  co-laborers,  Avhere  he  is  to  labor,  what  is 
to  be  his  work  and  what  the  relation  of  that  work  to 
the  work  of  others.  In  such  circumstances  a  man 
needs  all  the  consecration,  self-control,  high  resolve 
and  generous  unselfishness  Avhich  the  fullest  bap- 
tism of  the  spirit  of  (lod  may  enable  him  to  secure. 
Jealousy,  envy,  personal  ambition,  self-seeking,  love 
of  ease,  laziness,  the  desire  for  applause,  the  deter- 
mination to  have  his  own  way,  presumably,  of 
course,  in  the  belief  that  it  is  the  right  way,  malice, 
evil- speaking,  selfishness,  are  sins  Avliich  are  not 
absent  from  the  mission  field,  and  one  may  be  sur- 
prised to  find  how  many  of  these  ignoble  traits  of 
character  will  be  found  lurking  in  his  own  heart 
and  asserting  themselves  with  surprising  power, 
unless  they  are  recognized  and  checked  and  striven 
against  in  prayer. 

There  should  be  the  cultivation  of  an  apprecia- 
tion of  the  work  of  others,  of  an  interest  in  anoth- 
er's work,  of  a  willingness  to  allow  others  to  re- 
ceive credit  for  their  own  and  perhaps  for  your 
work,  witliout  fretting  or  growing  impatient  under 
a  sense  of  injustice,  of  a  willingness  to  yield  one^s 

71 


C  o  11  n  s  c  I      to     N  e  ID     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  r  s 

owu  Avislies  and  preferences  and  lliat,  too,  in  a,  gra- 
cions  spirit^  of  a  willingness  to  submit  to  liave  one's 
own  convictions  of  what  is  right  and  best  oveTrnled, 
and  of  an  ability  to  sacrifice  one's  personal  feelings, 
prejudices,  views,  plans  and  ambitions  and  to  sub- 
ordinate them  to  the  good  of  the  work  as  a  whole. 
l>y  all  means  possible  one  should  strive  for  the 
s]>irit  of  harmony  in  station  and  mission. and  native 
cliurcli.  The  determination  of  onc^i  man  to  carry 
out  liis  own  plans  at  all  hazards  may  develop  such 
a  lack  of  liarmoiiy  as  to  shut  out  the  blessing  of  the 
Spirit  of  ( lod.  One  should  be  >>'illing  to  make  very 
great  ]3ersonal  sacrifices  in  order  to  maintain  har- 
mony, ])ea(*(%  and  good  will,  for  where  such  a  spirit 
prevails  the  Si)irit  of  (lod  can  grant  His  blessing 
up(m  the  work.  I  know  not  in  Iioav  many  mission 
stations  missionary  quarrels  have  prevented  a  bh^ss- 
ing,  but  certain  it  is  that  if  diffcM-ences  of  views  and 
differences  in  convictions  as  to  Avhat  is  best  are  not 
held  in  the  spirit  of  brotherly  love  and  mutual  con- 
c(^ssiou,  but  lead  to  malice  and  envy  and  evil  speak- 
ing, the  Spirit  of  God  is  grieved  and  that  station 
cannot  expect  ai  blessing  upon  its  Avork.  Mutual 
co-operation  in  the  spirit  of  scdf-eff  a  cement  in  the 
interest  of  oik^i  harmoniously  developing  work  is 
the  spirit  A\hich  Avill  call  forth  a.  blessing  and  give 
the  very  greatest  joy  in  the  midst  of  Avork. 

In  view  of  the  character  of  the  Avork  to  be  dcme  I 
A\'oul(l  i?ot  in  the  least  discountenance  the  very  best 
and  most  a.m])le  preparation  in  the  study  of  the  lan- 
giuigc^,  tlie  history  and  liU^atnrc^  of  the  people  and 
the  study  of  conipa^rative  religions  in  order  that  one 
may  intelligently  meet  the  conditions,  but  I  feel 
that  th(^r(^  is  need  for  caution  along  this  lin(^',  lest 
tlie  missiouarv  find  (lie  vei-v  advice  uiven  to  liini  a 


C  ()  II  n  8  c  I      to     N  c  ir     A[  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

temj)ta,tiou  and  a  liiudraiice  to  most  effective  work. 
Far  more  important  than  the  stndy  of  comparative 
religions  or  the  religions  thought  and  life  of  the 
people  is  a  deep  and  thorough  study  of  the  religion 
of  thei  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  so  that  one's  mind  and 
life  l^ecome  saturated  with  its  spiritual  ideas.  AVhen 
one's  study  of  lieathen  religions  Jind  philosophy 
becomes  so  absoibing  tlmt  he  knows  more  of  them 
tban  he  does  of  liis  Bible,  so  that  he  places  more 
stress  upon  tlie  ethical  teachings  coanmon  to^  both 
tlian  upon  tlie  spiritual  teacliings  peculiar  tO'  the 
Scriptures;  when  he  is  more  concerned  to  show  tluu 
other  religions  have  parts  in  harmcmy  with  Scrip- 
ture than  he  is  to  show  that  Christianity  meets  that 
w  liicli  is  lacking  in  them,  then  liis  poAver  and  useful- 
ness a.s  a  missionary  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Clirist 
are  at  an  end. 

"^Alien  I  read  of  all  that  a  missionarv^  is  advised 
to  study  and  master  in  preparation  for  his  work  it 
s'(M'ms  to  me  that  t]ie  presumption  is  that  every  mis- 
sionary is  an  intellectual  giant  whose  whole  time  is 
to  be  given  to  study,  and  that  he  is  to  be  always  pre- 
paring for  wor]j:,  instead  of  working. 

While  constant  study  and  constant  efforts  to- 
wards  better  eciuipment  for  service  should  be  the 
rule,  one  cannot  always  be  laying  foundations  only, 
always  looking  towards  work  to  be  done  in  the  fu- 
ture. Activity  in  work  is  itself  a.  preparation  for 
])etter  Avork.  The  preaching  of  the  gospel,  the  es- 
taldishment  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  must  be  held 
as  taking  precedence  of  everything  else,  and  Avhat- 
ever  sacrifice  is  necessary  for  the  accomplishment 
of  this  olijcct  sliould  l)e  freely  made.  The  statement 
so  often  made  that  health  is  the  first  consideration 
expresses  a.  sentiment  which  to  my  mind  is  totally 

73 


C  o  u  n  s  c  I      to     N  e  in     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

at  variance  with  tlie  right  attitude.  Nothing  is  of 
first  consideration  but  the  one  thing,  tlie  getting 
of  the  gospel  to  the  people,  and  if  to  acconiplisli  tliis 
the  sacrifice  of  health  is  necessary,  let  health  be 
sa.crificed — yea,  life  itself — but  come  wliat  may, 
preach  the  gospel,  and  see  to  it  that  the  great  coin- 
luission  is  obeyed.  Of  course,  it  is  worse  than  folly, 
it  is  ,s*/';/^  to  saicrifice  health  or  life  when  that  is  un- 
necessary, but  personal  comfort,  ease:,  luxury, 
hcialth  and  even  life  itself  must  be  held  subordinate 
to  the  accomplishmemt  of  one's  chief  object. 

Above  all  things,  however,  the  missionary's  own 
sjiiritual  life  is  the  most  iTiiportant  consideration 
as  a  factor  in  evangelization.  As  Dr.  Dale,  writing 
of  the  evangelist,  says :  ^^^Vhat  tells  most  is  neither 
his  earnestness  nor  his  jierfect  certainty  of  the 
truth  of  the  Christian  gospel,  but  the  fact  apparent 
to  those  wlio  listen  that  his  certainty  rests  on  his 
(nvn  dii'cct  and  personal  knowledge  of  the  eternal 
relations  of  which  he  is  speaJving." 

If  to  us  the  spiritual  blessings  of  reccniciliation 
with  God,  our  fellowship  with  Jesus  Christ,  and 
the  assurance  of  eternal  life  are  our  cliief  joy  and 
privilege  and  we  daily  experience  their  power  in 
our  o^^'n  lives,  tlien  we  can  go  forth  to  present  in  all 
faitli  tliese  spiritual  privileges  and  blessings  as  the 
supreme  gift  of  the  gospel  unto  a  people  Avliose  de- 
spair can  be  exclianged  for  hope,  wdiose  darkness 
can  give  way  to  the  light,  wliose  fear  and  misei*y 
and  degradaticm  in  sin  and  inquity  can  be  dis- 
placed by  love  and  joy,  peace  and  righteousness. 

These  privileges  and  blessings  which  we  value 
most  and  which  satisfy  man's  spiritual  nature,  not 
tlie  incidental  temporal  advantages  of  Christianity 
which  apixnil  to  the  natural  man,  should  be  kept 

74 


C  o  n  n  s  e  I     to     N  e  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

coustaiitly  in  the  forefront  as  that  upon  which  our 
appeals  are  based  in  urging  the  acceptance  of  the 
gospel.  A  church  thus  established  will  be  a  power- 
ful spiritual  factor  in  a  nation  and  the  people  them- 
selves will  value  these  spiritual  blessings  as  their 
chief  joy  and  privilege.  They  will  be  ready  to  make 
any  sacrifice  in  order  to  secure  and  retain  what  has 
iKTome  of  supreme  interest  to  them. 

Tlie  Spirit  of  God  delights  to  honor  sucli  appeals, 
and  we  may  confidently  expect  Him  to  Avork  the 
regeneration  of  the  people  to  aaIioui  we  thus  present 
the  gospel  in  reliance  upon  His  power  alone. 


75 


VI 

THE  HOME  EIEE  OF  MLSRIONARIES 

By  Mrs.  Helen  S.  C.  Nevius^  of  China 

TN  these  days  of  ^^advanced  views"  one  liardly 
-■^  dares  to  profess  the  old-fasliioiied  belief  that  a 
wife's  first  duty  is  tO'  be  a  helpmeet  to  her  husband, 
to  assist  and  eneourage  him  in  his  work,  and  to 
make  his  home  to  him  the  happiest  spot  in  all  the 
^^'orld.  Yet  this  is  what  I  do  believe,  and  what  I 
ho'pe  I  have  in  some  degree  accomplished. 

Bnt  the  happiest  missionary  hoines,  as  I  have 
<)bserv(Hl  tluMu  during'  almost  lifty  years,  have  not 
been  those  A^dlere  the  \\ife  has  devoted  herself  ex- 
clusively to  the  care  of  her  husband  and  children. 
On  the  contrary,  they  have  been  those  where  husr 
band  and  wife  have  alike  been  working  mission- 
aries. If  a  woman  is  content  to  be  merely  a  care- 
ful housekeeper  and  a  faithful  mother  and  nurse, 
she  may  indeed  be  conscious  of  having  fulfilled  a 
very  sacred  duty;  but  I  think  she  has  not  reached 
the  highest  ideal.  All  this  she  might  have  done 
without  leaving  the  other  undone. 

However,  comparatively  few  women  are  satisfied 
not  to  make  sonu^'  (effort  for  the  good  of  the  people 
they  live  among,  and,  as  a  rule,  the  honu^s  of  the 
missionaries,  both  of  single  women  and  married,  are 
real  ^^ol)ject  lessons'' —  very  bright  spots  in  the  sur- 
rounding darkness,  where  often  heathein  women 
learn  foi'  the  first  time  the  meaning  of  the  word 
home. 

First  of  nil  i\  missionai-y's  home  should  be  a  ]iln('e 

76 


C  (>  n  n  s  c  I      to     N  c  id     J/  i  s  s  I  o  n  a  r  i  c  -i 

where  the  Ioat  of  God  reigns  supreme,  where  in 
work,  rest  or  recreation  the  joy  of  the  Lord  and  the 
consciousness  of  His  presence  are  our  strengtli ;  and 
it  ought  to  be  a  centre  from  which  good  inHuences 
radiate  in  all  directions.  There  heathen  men  and 
\\'omen  should  always  be  made  welcome.  There 
sliould,  if  possible,  be  a  bright,  cheerful,  native  re- 
ception room,  where  they  can  be  entertained  and 
feel  at  home,  as  they  dO'  not  in  our  foreign  rooms. 

Visits  from  the  natiyeis,  especially  from  women, 
take  a  great  deal  of  time,  and  are  so  barren  of  im- 
mediate results,  that  one  often  feels  that  they  do  not 
pay  for  the  exhaustion  of  mind  and  bod^^  Avhich  en- 
sues. Yet  few  kinds  of  work  are  more  impoi'tant. 
Returning  the^e  calls  or  seeking  to  extend  our  ac- 
(|uaintance  among  women  is  a  kind  of  work  requir- 
ing a  great  amount  of  patience  and  physical 
strength,  togetlier  with  a  knowledge  of  the  habits 
and  customs  of  the  people.  Without  this  knowl- 
edge we  are  apt  tO'  be  guilty  of  what  the  Chinese 
consider  great  rudeness,  and  shall  probably  do  more 
harm  than  good  by  our  efforts  to  be  sociable. 

One  plan  which  I  have  tried  for  getting  a  hold  on 
tlie  women  and  girls  is  gatliering  tliem  into  indus- 
trial classes.  ]My  object  is  not  primarily  to  teach 
tliem  to  sew,  nor  indeed  to  be  industrious,  but 
merely  to  get  the  chance  of  teaching  them. 

Whetlier  tlie  natives  should  often  be  invited  to 
eat  with  us  at  our  tables  is  an  open  question.  If 
tliey  dislike  foreign  food  as  much  as  I,  for  one,  dis- 
like the  native,  they  would  be  glad  to  be  spared  the 
infliction.  In  China,  I  doubt  if  the  men  of  our 
families  ought  to  sit  at  table  when  we  are  enter- 
taining native  women,  or  if  foreign  women  ought  to 
ai3pear    when    men    guests  are  being  entertained. 

77 


Counsel     to     N  c  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

Young  women  at  least  make  no  mistake  in  being 
very  punctilious  in  observing  the  customs  of  the 
country. 

In  the  open  ports  nothing  which  the  foreigner 
can  do  now  greatly  surprises  the  natives,  so  used 
have  they  become  tO'  balls,  picnics,  races  and  sports 
of  all  kinds  where  men  and  women  appear  together 
in  easy  intercourse.  A  most  important  question  for 
missionaries  to  settle  is  "AVhat  concessions  ought 
^\e  to  make  to  the  customs  of  the  country  we  have 
adopted  as  our  OAvn?"  In  China  men  and  women 
do  not  sit  together  at  table.  A  Avoman  walking  the 
street  leaning  on  her  husband's  arm  is  never  seen. 
Ladies  do  not  entertain  gentlemen  callers.  And  so 
in  innumerable  instances  our  foreign  customs  come 
into  conflict  with  those  of  all  Orientals. 

Our  costume  does  not  seem  to  the  Chinese  as  mod- 
est and  beautiful  as  their  own,  nor  perhaps  is  it. 
Shall  we  then  adopt  theirs,  as  has  been  done  by 
many  missionaries?  I  think  not;  for  what  we  gain 
by  this  in  certain  respects  we  lose  in  others.  A 
lady  by  wearing  an  outside  native  garment,  or  a 
loose  wrap  of  lier  own  may  at  any  time  avoid  disa- 
greeable criticism.  But  what  can  be  said  of  the 
dress  of  a  foreign  man !  I  am  sure  I  do  not  know. 
But  as  the  world  over  it  has  been  adopted  by  every 
superior  ra.ce,  and  has  some  advantages  over  east- 
ern costumeis,  its  stiff  lines  and  Avant  of  grace  must 
be  condimed,  and  tlie  natives  must  get  used  to  it. 

One  thing  A\]n*ch  as  missionaries  we  ought  never 
to  forget  is  that  the  natives  are  not  to  be  blamed  foT 
watching  our  conduct,  and  qnestionin.g  our  mo- 
tives. For  this  reason,  if  for  nO'  otlu^r,  certain 
amusements  coDimon  at  home,  sucli  for  instance  as 
dancing  jind  cards,  are  never  allowed  in  a  mission- 

78 


C  o  u  n  s  e  I     to     New     AI  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

ary's  family.  Otliers,  sncli  as  tennis,  croquet  and 
tlie  like  are  common,  tliou2:li  in  the  eyes  of  the  Chi- 
nese they  are  undignified  if  not  positively  immoral. 
Personally,  T  think  I  sliould  taboo  all  such  games 
in  places  where  the  curious  e^^es  of  the  natives — 
strang'ers  at  least — could  witness  and  comment  on 
them.  But  in  so  doing  I  should  probably  find  my- 
self in  a  minority  of  one !  I  am  quite  willing  to  ad- 
mit that  the  importance  of  vigorous  and  agreeable 
exercise  makes  these  games  almost  a  necessity.  But 
certainly  in  interior  stations,  especially  in  the  be- 
ginnings of  work,  the  greatest  care  should  be  exer- 
cised in  all  sucli  matters. 

As  is  well  known,  the  line  of  separation  between 
missionaries  and  other  foreign  residents  in  the  East 
is  very  broad,  and  the  result  is  a  marked  estrange^ 
ment  between  the  two  classes.  I  do  not  think  mis- 
sionaries ar(^  entirely  free  from  blame  for  this.  They 
hold  tliemselves  aloof,  possibly  sometimes  saying 
by  their  manner,  ^'I  am  holier  than  thou,"  which, 
though  often  literally  true,  is  not  always  so;  for 
there  are  good  religious  people  outside  of  the  mis- 
sionary communities.  We  blame  them  for  not  be- 
ing in  sympathy  with  missions,  yet  take  little  pains 
to  make  them  so.  I  believe  that  a  good  proportion 
of  the  foreigners  in  China,  at  least  of  the  women, 
are  religious — that  is,  as  much  so  as  "the  rank  and 
file"  of  cliurch  members  at  home.  They  are  in 
great  danger  from  the  adverse  influences  which 
meet  them  on  every  side.  Have  we  as  missionaries 
no  duties  toward  them?  I  think  it  possible  for  us, 
without  encroaching  on  our  more  direct  work,  to  be 
on  most  friendly  or  eveu  intimate  terms  with  mem- 
bers of  the  foreign  communities;  not,  perhaps,  par- 
ticipating in  many  social  functions,  and  certainly 

79 


C  o  n  n  s  e  I      to     N  e  ir     J\[  i  s  i?  /  o  v  a  r  i  c  s 

not  entertaining  in  the  luxnriouH  way  so  coninion  in 
the  East,  but  to  be  true  friends,  sympathizing'  in 
tlieir  joys  and  so^ro^^'s,  and  at  all  times  trying  to 
help  them  tO'  lead  braye  and  earnest  Christian  lives. 
In  such  intercourse  anything  like  ^^pious  talk,"  and 
the  least  approach  to  '^cant"  which  is  so  distaste- 
ful to  any  one  not  accustomed  to  it  must  be  avoided. 
On  the  other  hand  there  is  real  danger  of  our  inter- 
course degenerating  into  mere  frivol ity,  doing  no 
good  to  ourselves  or  any  one  else. 

A  small  missionary  establishment,  and  a  vei'y 
meagre  salary,  would  prevent  any  one  Avithout  pri- 
vaite  means,  from  mingling  ve^ry  extensively  in  the 
society  of  the  foreign  settlements,  even  if  he  desired 
to  do  so. 

The  place  which  should  be  given  to  music  and 
other  accomplishments,  such  as  drawing  aiul  paint- 
ing, is  also  rather  a  difficult  question,  and  one  on 
which  directly  opposite  views  are  held.  Suppose  a 
young  woman  with  an  unusual  gift  for  music,  aftei' 
years  of  careful  training  and  great  expensei,  has  be- 
come proficient  in  it;  shall  she  when  she  enters  on 
\\vv  life-Avork  as  a  missionary,  give  this  all  up?  In 
my  opinion  the  answer  to  this  qeustion  should  be 
(emphatically  no.  Should  she  do  so  it  would  be 
buiwing  a  talent  which  ought  to  be  used  for  the  sake 
of  Him  A^'ho  gave  it.  Moreover  it  would  be  sure  to 
cause  shrinkage  and  deterioration  of  character,  and 
consequently  loss  of  power  to  do  good  work  in  oth- 
er lines.  Moreover  it  is  voluntarily  relinquishing 
one  means  of  giving  pleasure  to  others  and  of  mak- 
ing cherrfnl  the  homes  which  from  the  necessities  of 
the  case  must  be  comparatively  uninviting. 

No  one  would  deny  the  importance  of  music  as  a 
means  of  doing  good  to  the  natives.     For  teaching 

80 


C  o  u  )i  s  c  I     to     N  e  w     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

the  Clirislians,  whether  for  schools  or  church,  or 
merely  as  a  means  of  entertaiuing  visitors,  it  is  of 
liTeat  use.  But  for  these  purposes  ''a  little  goes  a 
long  way,"  and  does  not  require  much  time  or  prac- 
tice. If  a  person  is  not  truly  musical,  by  which  I 
mean  that  she  does  not  care  enough  for  it  to  be 
willing  to  take  for  it  many  of  the  hours  she  Avould 
otherwise  glA  e  to  reading,  sewing,  out  of  door 
games,  or  visiting  her  neighbors — such  an  one  I 
think  need  not  force  her  music  farther  than  tO'  keep 
enough  of  it  to  use  in  her  strictly  missionary  work. 
But  to  the  few  who  love  music  as  one  of  the  dearest 
things  in  all  the  world,  I  am  not  afraid  to  give  the 
advice  to  keep  it  up  from  the  time  you  leave  your 
teachers  at  home,  until  you  are  called  to  join  in  the 
harmonies  of  heaven,  which  possibly  you  will  un- 
derstand and  appreciate  as  others  cannot. 

During  the  earlier  years  of  missions  in  China,  the 
duty  of  economy  was  practised  more  rigidly  than  it 
is  now.  More  than  one  family  suffered  both  in 
mind  and  body  from  the  want  of  nourishing  food ; 
and  this  not  always  from'  necessity  but  from  mo- 
tives of  economy,  or  the  belief  that  it  was  a  meri- 
torious thing,  or  if  not  quite  that,  that  a  certain 
amount  of  asceticism  was  required  in  every  good 
missionary.  This  belief  prevails  still  to  some  ex- 
tent. I  have  lately  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev. 
W.  A.  P.  Martin,  D.D.,  LL.  D.,  in  which  occurs  the 
following :  '^One  of  the  saddest  instances  of  mistak- 
en asceticism  is  that  of  the  eminent  Scotchman, 
Rev.  W.  C.  Burns,  who  fell  a  victim  to  false  notions 
of  economy.  He  is  in  fact  reported  to  have  said 
during  his  last  illness  that  if  he  recovered  he  would 
change  his  mode  of  life.'' 

It  is  my  opinion  that  people  living  in  these  east- 
si 


C  ()  II  n  s  V  I      to      Is'  c  ID      M  i  .s  s  io  n  a  r  i  c  s 

erii  countries^ — Cliiiia,  Japan  and  Korea^ — where 
servants  are  plenty  and  coniparatively  cheap,  are 
inexcusable  if  their  homes  are  ill-kept  and  their 
tables  uninviting.  Even  a  moderately  good  liouse- 
keepeir  can  with  care  provide  plenty  of  nourishing 
food,  and  if  she  is  ai  person  of  reclined  tastes,  she  will 
make  some  effort  to  beautify  the  ''social  board.'' 

Even  more  iniportant,  I  regard  it,  that  she  should 
nuike  these  hours,  snaitched  from  the  Avork  of  the 
busy  day,  times  of  mental  refreshment  and  delight. 
Here,  if  any n\  here,  the  house-motlu^r  or  hostess  Avill 
do  licj'  best  in  the  art  of  convc^rsation,  giving  out 
from  lu^r  oanu  stores  of  reading  or  memory,  and 
drawing  out  from  otlK^rs  still  more.  IToav  often  in 
the  years  Avhich  are  passed  has  one  tired  man  been 
int(  rested  and  diverted  by  a  resume  of  some  book 
which  his  wife  had  been  reading!  It  may  have  been 
from  Livingston  or  Stanley,  or  the  life  of  Bishop 
Patteson;  or  just  as  ])robably  it  was  a  good  story 
of  which  slie  gave  him  the  plot  from  beginning  to 
end  Avith  as  much  of  detail  as  time  alloAved.  The 
wearied  broAV  ANould  lose  its  lines  and  a  merry  laugh 
would  shoAv  that  she  had  not  failed  in  her  purpose; 
while  may  be  long  afterAvards  she  AV(Hild  find  that 
her  husband  to  all  intents  knew  ahout  as  much  of 
the  book  as  she  had  retained  in  her  memory.  I  cer- 
tainly do  not  advise  making  meal  times  a  time  for 
mental  t-ffort,  but  even  that  Avould  be  better  than 
the  totally  inane,  uninteresting  occasions  they  are 
apt  to  become,  especially  in  missionary  homes, 
where  monotony  often  is  quite  as  injurious  as  ma- 
laria or  contagion. 

Of  course,  I  do  not  limit  ilie  importance  of  good 
conversation  to  the  time  spent  at  table.  Far  from 
it.     T  am  sure  it  is  a  much  neglected  duty  at  other 

82 


(/  0  II  II  s  (•  1      to     .A"  ('  ir      ][  I  .s  ,s'  /'  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

times.  The  indolent  quiet  in  which  many  wonu^n 
aHow  tliemseJyes  to  indulge  seems  to  me  not  quite 
tlie  admirable  thing-  it  is  sometimes  thought,  and  it 
certainly  does  not  add  to  the  brightness  of  home. 

In  the  early  days  of  missions  each  young  man 
coming  abroad  brought  with'  him  a  library  as  well 
filled  as  that  of  any  young  clergyman  at  home.  ITe- 
bre^^',  Greek,  theological  works — heavy  tomes 
arranged  on  the  shelves  ahvays  in  beautiful  order, 
because  seldom  touched,  stood  ever  after  staring  re- 
proachfully at  us,  Avho  so  sadly  neglected  them. 
Present-day  libraries  seem  more  inviting.  How 
much  time  it  is  right  to  spend  in  reading  is  a  ques- 
tion which  each  person  must  settle  for  himself  or 
herself.  Certain  it  is  that  the  missionary  who  does 
not  read,  and  read  Avitli  a  i>urpose,  must  deteriorate. 
The  importance  of  faithful  Bible  study  "goes  with- 
out saying."  If  we  allow  our  missionary  work,  even 
what  seems  most  imperative,  to  interfere  with  this, 
our  Christian  characters  must  be  cramped  and  im- 
perfect, and  our  souls  will  suffei\  If  there  is  time 
for  nothing  else  let  this  never  be  neglected. 

But  Avith  regularity,  punctuality,  and  a  judicious 
division  of  tlie  day,  every  one  who  has  a  real  fond- 
ness for  intellectual  pursuits,  can  find  time  for  a 
certain  amount  of  study  either  of  la.ngiiages,  sci- 
ence, or  whatever  one  craves,  and  also  for  "light 
reading."  I  am  sorry  for  the  missionars^  who  gets 
no  pleasure  from  works  of  fiction.  Not  even  the 
best  books  of  travel,  history  or  biography  can  so 
conipletely  take  us  out  of  ourselves  and  make  us  for- 
get our  uncongenial  surroundings.  A  home  where 
sucli  books  are  not  allowed  I  have  generally  found 
to  be  rather  a  dull  one,  where  mirth,  Avit  and  ready 
repartee  are  conspicuous  only  by  their  absence. 

83 


C  o  11  n  s  e  I     to     N  c  to     31  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

Fe^Y  are  the  homes  in  any  land  where  sickness 
and  sorrow  do  not  at  some  time  make  tlieir  en- 
trance. The  sanitai*y  conditions,  too  hard  study, 
overwork,  together  with  the  monotony  of  life  in 
most  eastern  countries  are  by  no  means  favorable  to 
good  health,  and  there  are  few  foreign  residents 
who  do  not  have  to  serve  an  apprenticeship  at  one 
time  or  another  in  nursing  the  sick. 

"N^lien  T  first  came  to  China  fifty  years  ago  the 
profession  of  "trained  nurse"  Avas  almost  unknown. 
\\e  looked  after  our  sick  as  best  we  could ;  and  I 
am  glad  to  think  that  by  devotion  and  faithfulness, 
we  made  up  in  some  measure  for  what  we  failed  in 
from  ignorance.  But  good  lessons  and  experience 
in  nursing  are  at  all  times  invaluable.  I  cannot 
recommend  tooi  strongly  the  importance  to  either  a 
man  or  a  woman  looking  forA^ard  toi  being  a  mis- 
sionary, of  learning  to  take  care  of  the  sick.  Not 
every  one  need  become  ai  trained  nurse,  but  every 
one  A^  ho  wishes  it  may  obtain  some  lessons  and 
practice  in  the  art  of  nursing  the  sick.  No  other  ac- 
complishment will  prove  more  useful  in  the  long 
run ;  and  it  also  gives  one  much  influence  among 
the  natives. 

My  own  home  has  been  many  times  a  temporary 
hospital,  and  I  speak  from  actual  experience  when 
I  urge  the  inportance  of  a  knoAvledge  of  nursing. 

It  was  once  my  privilege  to  entertain  an  Ameri- 
can gentleman,  who  will  forgive  my  meoation  of  his 
name — Dr.  Phraner — whose  knowledge  of  minis- 
ter's maiises  in  the  TTnited  States  has  been  excep- 
tional. He  assured  me  that  the  homes  of  mission- 
aries were  not  as  commodious  ajid  good — on  an 
average — as  those  of  clergymen  at  home.  Yet  it  is 
well  known  that  our  houses  and  way  of  living  have 

84 


C  o  u  II  X  c  I     to     N  c  tc     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  s 

been  most  severely  criticized  by  travelers  and  globe- 
trotters as  unsuitable  and  extravagant.  Did  these 
critics  realize  more  fully  our  circumstances,  I  think 
they  Avould  judge  us  more  kindly. 

Those  of  us  who  live  in  central  stations  or  the 
open  ports  are  constantly  obliged  to  ''use  hospitali- 
ty.'' This,  if  our  houses  are  large  enough,  and  our 
servants  are  Avell  trained,  in  most  cases,  is  not  a 
burden,  but  rather  a,  pleasure.  While  my  present 
home  V\'as  being  built  we  lived  in  a  four-roomed 
small  house,  where  five  times  in  one  year  we  gave 
up'  our  bedroom  to  guests — once  for  a  month — and 
made  the  study  do  duty  as  a  sleeping  room,  to  the 
great  detriment  of  our  work.  The  experiment  con- 
vinced us  that  for  us  a  house  double  the  size  was 
none  too  large.  About  the  same  time  there  was  an- 
other person  whO'  built  his  house  just  as  small  as 
lie  could  possibly  do  with,  because  thus  it  was  un- 
likely that  he  should  be  burdened  with  guests.  Per- 
haps once  or  twice  during  the  passing  years  I  have 
thought  him  wise,  and  envied  him,  but  not  often. 

Then  comes  the  question  of  furnishing  and  style 
of  living.  I  have  already  emphasized  the  impor- 
tance I  attach  to  making  the  missionary's  home  at- 
tractive, while  at  the  same  time  avoiding  scrupu- 
lously all  ostentation  and  extravagance.  In  the  na- 
ture of  the  case  there  will  be  a  great  difference  in 
tlie  houses  of  the  same  mission;  one  having  an  air 
of  refinement  and  beauty,  another  the  same  in  size 
and  kind  remaining  to  the  end  destitute  of  ornar 
ment,  tlie  walls  without  pictures,  the  floors  bare  or 
ill  krwpt,  no  musical  instruments  with  their  sweet 
sounds  and  suggestions,  and,  Avorse  than  all,  a  gen- 
eral air  of  untidiness.  The  third  house,  and  the 
kind  most  common,  will  be  neither  one  of  the  above, 

85 


Counsel     to     N  c  ir     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

but  somewhat  between  tlie  two.  Individuality 
stamps  itself  upon  houses,  just  as  it  does  on  one's 
garments.  Even  the  house  which  seems  to  us  most 
unattractive  is  so  superior  in  most  respects  to  the 
next-door  Chinese  neighbor  that  to  him  there  is  per- 
haps little  perceptible  difference.  In  matters  of 
this  sort  much  must  be  left  to  the  individual  taste, 
judgment  and  conscience. 

If  punctuality  and  regularity  in  the  conduct  of 
atfairs  are  important  elsewhere,  they  are  doubly  so 
in  a  missionary's  home,  and  their  absence  is  soon 
felt.  Time  seems  of  little  value  to  Eastern  peoples, 
and  it  is  wasted  with  surprising  prodigality.  But 
while  this  is  so  it  is  equally  true  that  it  is  not  dif- 
ficult to  train  them  to  habits  of  punctuality ;  and  it 
is  the  missionary's  fault  if  breakfast  is  late,  lunch- 
eon delayed,  and  dinner  any  time  between  daylight 
and  dark,  wdiile  family  prayers  are  moved  about  to 
suit  the  convenience  of  master  or  servants.  I  con- 
sider it  as  most  important  that  young  missionaries 
from  the  very  first  should  regard  punctuality  and 
regularity  in  the  light  of  duties  never  to  be  ne- 
glected. 

The  limits  of  this  chapter  will  not  allow  me  to 
suggest  particular  lines  of  Avork  or  methods.  But 
I  wish  negatively  to  point  out  one  or  two  things. 
Except  in  extreme  cases  of  illness  no  one  ought  to 
encroach  very  much  on  the  time  and  strength  of  the 
strcmger  members  of  the  mission.  There  is  room 
liere  for  self-dc^uial ;  and,  as  a,  rule,  most  cheerfully 
and  willingly  have  missionaries  borne  it.  Another 
thing  which  more  particularly  concerns  married 
women  is  this:  Let  them  never  be  clogs  nor  hind- 
rances to  their  husbands.  If  for  instance  the  hus- 
])and's  duties  call  him  to  be  often  absent  from  home 

86 


C  o  If  n  8  e  J      to      y  c  ir      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  r  s 

on  long  itinerating  tours,  on  which  she  cannot  ac- 
company him,  let  her  on  no  account  weaken  hii^^ 
courage  by  her  wails  of  loneliness.  If  a  woman 
cannot  do  itinerating  work  herself  she  ought  at 
least  to  be  willing  to  ''stay  by  the  stuff/'  thankful 
that  she  in  Jier  comparative  uselessness  has  a  brave 
soldier  to  send  out  to  fight  in  the  great  battle  with 
sin.  That  this  means  sacrifice  no  one  knoAvs  better 
than  the  writer  of  these  words. 

The  sin  of  ovcncorl'  is  not  confined  to  mission- 
aries, but  I  think  it  is  more  dangerous  for  them 
than  for  people  in  Western  lands,  who  necessarily 
and  in  spite  of  themselves  get  a  certain  amount  of 
recreation  and  relaxation  every  day.  A  missionary, 
to  begin  wit]i,  has  the  language  to  acquire,  and  this 
often  taxes  both  mind  and  body  beyond  endurance. 
After  that  come  the  long  Aveary  A^ears  of  teaching, 
preaching  and  incessant  ''giving  out,"  Avith  little  op- 
portunity to  repair  Avaste.  But  if  the  home  is  Avhat 
it  ought  to  be  it  Avill  in  a  great  measure  make  up 
for  all  this.  _ 

xVs  I  glance  back  over  the  pages  of  this  chapter  I 
can  ])ut  notice  that  I  have  Avritten  too  exclusiA^dy 
for  women — a  natural  consequence,  perhaps,  of  my 
old-fashioned  notions  of  the  impropriety  of  a  avo- 
man's  presuming  to-  attempt  to  teach  men!  But 
perhaps  I  may  be  alloAved  a  few  Avords  of  sugges- 
tion in  closing.  No  one  can  realize  more  deeply 
than  I  do  that  the  happiness  of  home  depends 
chiefly  upon  the  man  Avho  is  its  head.  It  is  in  his 
poAver  to  make  or  mar  it.  No  amount  of  work,  hoAV- 
ever  important,  no  preoccupation  of  mind,  no 
tlieories  as  to  different  spheres  of  labor,  can  ahsolve 
liim  from  his  paramount  duties  in  his  home.  It  is 
by  no  means  enough  that  a  man  should  be;  a  faith- 

87 


Counsel     to     New     Missionaries 

ful,  hard  working  missionary.  It  is  a  sad  confes- 
sion to  make,  but  a  true  one,  that  there  have  beiem 
missionaries  who  have  done  their  duty  everywhere 
but  in  their  own  families.  Mistaken  I  believe  them 
to  have  been,  but  conscientious  no  doubt.  If  ever 
there  is  a  place  where  divine  guidance  is  needed 
surely  it  is  here;  and  well  it  is  for  us  that  we  have 
the  promise,  "If  any  man  lack  wisdom  let  him  ask 
of  God  wlio  giveth  to  all  liberally  and  upbraideth 
not;  and  it  shall  be  given  him.'' 


ss 


YII 

SOME  COUNSEL  TO  ^VOMEN  TEACHERS 

By  Miss  H attic  V.  Noyes^  of  China 

4  8  one  Avlio  lias  traveled  through  a  pleasant  coun- 
■^^  try  enjoys  meeting  those  who  are  commencing 
the  same  journey,  I  take  pleasure  in  greeting  you  at 
the  threshold  of  your  mission  life.  You  have  chosen  a 
good  work,  and  it  is  your  wish  to  make  the  most  and 
best  of  life,  and  1  am  glad  indeed  to  have  the  privi- 
lege, through  these  pages,  of  extending  to  you  a  wel- 
coming hand,  hoping  that  it  may  also  be  a  helping 
one,  and  to  jjass  on  to  you  through  this  medium 
some  of  the  thoughts  and  experiences  which  have 
proved  helpful  to  me.  You  and  the  Master  alone 
know  the  full  measure  of  what  has  been  involved  in 
your  decision,  and  the  sacrifice  you  may  be  making, 
but  I  doubt  not  that  you  are  glad  and  happy,  and 
feel  that  it  is  a  great  privilege  to  be  one  of  His  chos- 
en messengers,  and  the  promise  of  the  hundredfold 
is  yours.  I  well  remember  how,  during  my  first 
voyage  to  the  mission  field,  made  before  the  days  of 
rapid  transit,  as  the  days  grcAv  into  weeks,  and  the 
weeks  into  months,  and  the  dear  home-land  seemed 
to  be  going  very  far  away,  the  beautiful  lines  were 
constantly  in  mind 

^^I  knoAV  not  v\here  His  islands  lift 

Their  fronded  palms  in  air ; 
I  only  knoAV  I  cannot  drift. 

Beyond  His  love  and  care." 

89 


G  o  It  11  s  r  J      to      N  c  IV      M 


I  s  s  I  o  n  a  r  i  c  s* 


The  promise,  '^Lo,  I  am  witli  jou  ahvays,"  is  your 
sure  possession,  so  you  can  never  be  left  aJonc. 

The  first  step  in  your  new  life  ^^  ill  be  the  acqui- 
sition of  the  language,  and  its  importance  cannot 
be  overestimated.  The  usefulness  and  eliicicncy  of 
the  missionary  worker  depend  to  a  great  extent 
upon  familiarity  with  the  language  of  the  people. 
The  gospel  message  is  new  and  strange  to  their  ears, 
and  if  not  clothed  in  familiar  words  is  not  likely 
to  rea.cli  tlieir  hearts.  It  is  difficult  enough  for 
them  to  grasp  and  understand  it  when  expressed  in 
the  best  possible  way.  Do  not  feel  impatient  to  be- 
gin work,  or  that  the  time  is  wasted  which  is  neces- 
sarily given  to  this  most  important  prei>aration  for 
your  chosen  Avork.  The  waiting  time  is  valuable 
in  many  ways;  it  gives  time  for  adaptation  to  ncAV 
surroundings,  and  becoming  familiar  witli  the 
thoughts  and  feelings  of  those  wiiose  liighest  good 
you  are  seeking. 

.  The  very  first  requisite  for  a  successful  mission- 
ary life  is  a  Christ-like  love  for  those  for  whom  you 
labor.  Tlie  lieathen  Avomen  and  girls  will  read  very 
readily  and  accurately  your  feelings  towards  them, 
and  unless  there  is  a  genuine  interest  and  love  for 
them  in  the  lieart,  the  effort  to  reacli  them  is  hope- 
less. 

There  is  a  lieart  language,  which  can  communi- 
cate without  the  aid  of  words,  and  A\'hich  is  under- 
stood by  all.  The  kindly  smile,  the  loving  glance  of 
the  eye,  the  sympathy  manifested  in  looks  and 
tones,  even  if  in  unfamiliar  words,  are  eloquent  ex- 
pressions of  the  love  that  is  in  the  lieart,  and  are 
readily  understood  and  appreciated.  Could  there 
be  a  more  beautiful  ti'ibute  to  the  life  and  spirit  of 
any  one  than  ^^'as  ])aid  to  a,  dear  missionary  sister, 

90 


(^  o  u  n  s  c  I      f  0      y  ('  If      J/  /  s  X  i  o  /■/  (t  r  i  r  s 

who  had  returned  to  the  hoino-land  hoping  to  re- 
gain hcaltl]  and  strength  for  longer  service?  AMien 
the  message  came  back  that  her  earthly  work  was 
finished  and  she  had  gone  to  receive  the  heavenly 
reward,  one  of  the  native  Christian  women  said  of 
her  that  it  was  through  her  life  she  had  learned  to 
understand  the  love  of  Christ  for  sinners ;  it  had  al- 
ways seemed  a  strange,  incredible  story  until  her 
love  for  tlie  poor  heathen  women,  so  unlike  herself, 
had  been  such  a  revelation  of  the  power  and 
strength  of  human  love,  that  it  had  made  it  possi- 
ble to  understand  the  divine  love  of  the  Saviour. 
It  must  ever  be  borne  in  mind  that  you  are  the  ex- 
ponents of  the  Christianity  which  you  profess,  liv- 
ing epistles,  which  will  be  known  and  read  by  those 
about  you,  who  will  be  quick  to  detect  any  incon- 
sistencies in  life  or  example. 

If  you  have  been  engaged  in  educational  work  at 
home  you  will  doubtless  realize  from  the  first  the 
different  character  and  object  of  the  educational 
work  of  the  missionaries,  which  should  always  be 
largely  evangelistic.  In  many  mission  schools 
much  of  the  teaching  corresponds  nearly  with  the 
Sabbath  School  work  in  the  home-land.  The  con- 
ditions on  the  mission  field  are  so  different  from 
those  in  Christian  lands,  where  the  pupils  in  the 
schools  have  the  home  influence  and  teacliings,  the 
church,  the  Sabbath  school  and  Christian  friends, 
while  for  many  of  those  who  attend  the  mission 
schools  it  is  the  one  opportunity  of  a  lifetime  to 
learn  the  priceless  lessons,  which  are  so  infinitely 
more  important  than  the  learning  Avhicli  pertains 
to  the  earthly  life.  Fifty  years  hence  it  will  matter 
very  little  hoAV  much  or  little  they  have  learned  of 
the  higher  mathematics,  or  the  different  sciences, 

91 


Counsel     to     N  c  lo     Mission  a  r  i  c  s 

if  they  have  only  obtaiued  that  knowledge  which 
will  make  them  wise  unto  salvation. 

^A  hatevcr  they  find,  or  do  not  find,  in  the  school 
curriculum,  be  sure  that  they  are  taught  how  to 
find  the  w^ay  that  leads  to  heaven.  It  is  a  comfort- 
ing thought  that  it  does  not  necessarily  need  much 
teaching  to  insure  this.  With  the  blessing  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  a  single  text  of  Scripture  has  been  suf- 
ficient to  point  the  way. 

Let  the  ^^'ords  of  the  Bible  enter  largely  into  the 
instruction  given.  As  Frances  Ilavergal  has  writ- 
ten,  ''God's  promise  that  'My  word  shall  not  return 
unto  me  void,'  is  not  made  of  our  words,  but  of  His 
own."  While  it  is  desirable  to  give  to  the  pupils  in 
mission  schools  all  the  general  information  possi- 
ble, let  us  never  for  a  moment  lose  sight  of  the  su- 
preme object.  After  this  the  amount  of  instruction 
which  can  be  given  in  other  lines  will  depend  upon 
the  different  conditions  of  the  schools. 

In  schools  which  are  composed  of  the  children  of 
Christian  parents,  there  is  a  good  foundation  to 
commence  ^\'ith,  and  in  those  where  the  pupils  re- 
main under  instructi(m  for  many  years,  it  is  possi- 
ble to  give  them  in  addition  to  the  religious  instruc- 
ti(ui  what  ^^'ould  be  considered  a  good  education  in 
^^'estern  lands. 

The  words  of  an  eminc^nt  educator  of  England  are 
especially  applicable  to  mission  schools:  "A  school 
should  be  first  of  all  a  ])]ace  for  the  forumtion  of 
character,  and  next  a  jdace  for  learning  and  study, 
as  a  nutans  for  tlie  attainment  of  this  higher  end. 
Discipline^  and  guidance  should  be  still  more  pre- 
eminently fh(>  business  of  a  school  teacher,  than  tlie 
impartation  of  knowledge.''  Uncpiestioiuibly  the 
nim  of  educalioiinl  work  in  the  mission  field  is  "to 

92 


Counsel      to      N  e w      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a r i c s 

raise  up  Christia,ii  leaders. "  And  while  it  is  most 
desirable  that  these  leaders  should  have  all  the 
education  in  every  line  tliat  they  can  obtain,  yet 
when  their  opportunities  are  limited  we  can  remem- 
ber that  there  may  be  quite  different  standards  of 
the  amount  of  education  necessary,  varying;"  with 
the  classes  who  are  to  be  led  by  tliese  Christian 
leaders.  It  is  as  true  to-day  as  when  the  words 
were  Avritten  nearly  nineteen  hundred  years  ago, 
fhat  ^'not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not  many 
mighty,  not  many  noble,  are  called.  But  God  hath 
cliosen  the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound 
the  wise,  and  God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of 
the  Avorld  to  confound  the  things  which  are  mighty, 
and  base  things  of  the  world,  and  things  Avhich  are 
despised,  hatli  God  chosen;  yea,  and  things  which 
ar(^;  no^  to  bring  to  naught  things  that  are."  And 
every  true  believer  through  all  the  ages  may  claim 
the  fulfillment  of  the  Saviour's  promise,  ^'I  will 
send  the  IToly  Spirit  unto  you,  and  he  shall  teach 
you  all  things,  and  giiide  you  into  all  truth."  So 
A\'c  may  believe  that  no  one  who  has  obtained  suf- 
ficient education  to  be  an  intelligent,  earnest  Chris- 
tian need  fail  to  be  a  Christian  leader  of  some. 

It  is  of  the  highest  importance  that  the  pupils  for 
their  own  spiritual  development,  as  well  as  the  good 
of  others,  be  trained  from  the  first  to  realize  that  it 
is  their  duty,  having  heard  the  gospel  message,  to. 
tell  it  to  others  as  they  have  opportunity,  "Let  him 
that  heareth  say,  come."  A  missionary  society  is 
veiw  helpful  in  leading  them  to  think  of  others. 

You  will  wish  to  know  each  pupil  as  intimately 
as  possible,  and  to  have  them  all  feel  that  you  are 
their  friend — one  to  wliom  they  may  always  come 
for  help  and  comfort.    Let  them  be  assured  of  your 

93 


(J  ()  n  n  s  c  I      t  0      N  41  to      M  i  8  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  c  -v 

syiiipailiy  in  tlioir  trials,  and  feel  tliat  you  will  al- 
ways fulloAv  tlieni  Avitli  lovini;-  interest.  The  im- 
portance of  makinii;  tlie  best  possible  use  of  the  time 
while  they  are  directly  under  the  influence  of  the 
missionary  cannot  be  overestimated,  and  every  ef- 
fort should  be  made  to  lead  them  to  decide  for 
Clirist,  and  to  j)repare  them  for  the  trials,  Avhich 
they  Avill  be  almost  sure  to  meet,  when  they  go  out 
i'liioiip:  heathen  relatives  and  friends. 

During  a,  time  of  bitter  persecution  it  Avas  A'ery 
noticeable  that  the  natiAC  Cliristians  Avho  Avere 
luo'st  familiar  Avith  the  Bible,  Avere  strongest  to  bear 
the  trial  of  their  faith,  and  could  be  cheerful  and 
trustful,  Avhile  others  Avere  timid  and  dismayed. 

As  they  finish  their  studies  and  go  out  to  take 
their  places  in  tlu^  aa  orld,  let  them  feel  that  they 
^^  ill  never  be  forgotten,  and  thus  holding  fast  your 
influence  OA^er  them,  Avithout  doubt  tlirough  them 
you  Avill  be  a])le  to  influence  nuiny  Avhom  you  may 
never  knoAV. 

You  Avill  f(H4  the  paramount  importance  of  find- 
ing the  best  niethod  of  presenting  the  gospel  mes- 
sage, renu^mlK^ring  that  your  hearers  are  as  little 
children,  to  Avhom  it  is  all  neAV  and  strange.  It  Avill 
not  be  surprising  if  they  do  not  realize  the  sin  of 
neglecting  to  love  and  AAorship  a  God  of  Avhom  they 
bave  never  heard,  or  if  the  beautiful  story  of  a  Sav- 
iour's love  seems  at  first  incredible  to  them. 

Oftentimes  a  AA'ay  that  seems  to  a,ppeal  naturally 
to  their  hearts  is  to  present  the  hope  of  a,  happier 
life  than  they  have  knoAvn  h(^re.  For  many  of  them 
the  earthly  life  has  loeen  filled  Avith  sadness,  as  they 
are  ready  to  admit,  and  thv  hope  of  something  bet- 
ter, of  a.  place  of  perfect  happiness  to  Avhicli  they 
nuiy  go,  appeals  to  them  strongly,  and   ihey  are 

94 


O  o  LI  11  s  e  I      to     1^  c  If      M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

readv  and  eager  to  learu  how  they  may  fiud  the  way, 
aiid  thus  their  interest  is  gained. 

3iaiiy  questions  will  necessarily  come  up  for  de- 
cision, and  you  will  often  feel  the  need  of  that  wis- 
dom which  God  promises  shall  be  given  liberally  to 
those  who  ask.  It  is  well  not  to  be  hasty  in  form- 
ing opinicms,  as  oftentimes  questions,  Avliich  at  first 
seem  easy  of  solution,  may  be  found  to  have  per- 
plexing conditions,  A\'hich  must  affect  and  perliaps 
modify,  if  not  change,  the  decision  which  at  first 
seemed  right.  You  may  meet  Avith  experiences 
\\iiich  would  naturally  tend  to  make  you  suspicious 
of  the  motives  and  acts  of  those  about  you,  but  do 
not  allo^^  them  to  unduly  influence  you,  or  you  will 
surely  find  tliat  your  oAvn  influence  for  good  will  be 
lessened.  I  remendjer  hearing  a  very  successful 
missionary  say,  ^'The  law  considers  a  man  innocent 
until  he  is  proveoi  guilty,  and  missionaries  surely 
sh(mld  not  be  less  generous." 

It  is  not  lilvcly  that  any  one  for  whose  good  you 
are  earnestly  seeking  can  seem  dull  and  uninterest- 
ing, but  if  it  should  ever  be  so  remember  how  much 
has  been  given  to  you,  and  Iioav  UttJe  has  fallen  to 
their  lot,  and  be  thankful  and  charitable. 

You  Avill  doubtless  find  ^'trials  by  the  way,"  and 
they  will  A^ery  likely  come  in  ways  which  you  will 
not  expect.  But  endeavor  under  all  circumstances 
to  ^'Let  patience  have  her  perfect  Avork,  that  ye  may 
be  perfect  and  entire,  Avanting  nothing."  There  may 
be  disa,pi>ointments,but  remember  that  they  are  His 
appointments,  and  it  Avill  help  you  to  bear  them. 
Some  one  has  said  that  ^'In  the  missionary's  vocabu- 
lai'y  there  is  no  such  word  as  discouragement." 
"The  battle  is  the  Lord's,"  and  victory  in  the  end  is 
assured  from  the  beginning.    In  a  field  where  there 

95 


G  o  u  n  8  e  I     to     N  c  id     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s* 

are  such  boundless  opportuuities,  surrounded  by 
millions  who  are  in  such  dire  need  of  the  gosi^el,  it 
often  seems  trying-  that  one  can  do  so  little  to  meeit 
the  need.  But  AA'hen  it  is  remembered  that  God 
Himself  has  set  the  limitations  of  strength  and  abil- 
ity, they  can  be  accepted  cheerfully. 

It  has  been  truly  said  that  the  real  measure  of 
any  one^s  work  is  not  what  can  be  done  directly, 
which  must  necessarily  be  very  limited,  but  what 
can  be  aiccomplished  through  others.  This  is  espe- 
cially true  on  the  mission  field,  wliere  the  comiiara- 
tively  few  workers  from  the  home-lands  can  never 
hope  to  reach  directly  more  than  a  very  limited 
number  of  the  vast  multitudes  of  heathen.  And  the 
verij  best  way  to  des^elop  the  Christian  life  in  those 
who  have  accepted  Christ  for  themselves,  is  to  U^ad 
them  to  work  for  the  salvation  of  others.  Once  as- 
sured that  there  is  really  the  love  of  Christ  in  the 
heart  no  one  need  be  considered  as  unable  to  be  a 
worker  in  some  capacity.  And  if  you  are  careful 
to  secure  the  very  best  helpers  that  are  attainable 
you  may  confidently  hope  tliat  the  Lord  of  the  har- 
vest will  bless  their  labors.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  the  imperfections  of  Christian  Avorkers  are 
only  in  degree,  for  no  one  can  claim  to  be  perfect. 
Prom  the  first  use  all  your  influence  to  lead  them 
to  feel  their  personal  responsibility,  and  how  bind- 
in<?  upon  them  is  the  Saviour's  coaumand,  "Freely 
ye  have  received,  freely  give.'' 

You  will  doubtless  have  varied  experiences  in 
your  missionary  life.  For  the  briglit,  happy  days 
you  will  be  glad  and  thankful,  and  if  sadness  or 
trials  come  to  you  you  can  always  feel  that  it  is  all 
in  the  present  and  will  soon  be  p^st,  and  then  tlie 
joy  of  service  will  reiimiii  fore  vcn*.     And  you  will 

9G 


C  o  It  n  s  G  I     to     N  e  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

often  find  eonifort  and  help  in  the  thouoht  of  tlie 
many  friends  who  ''do  not  cease  to  pray  for  yon, 
and  to  desire  that  ye  might  be  filled  with  the  knowl- 
edge of  His  will  in  all  wisdom  and  spiritual  under- 
standino." 


''Give  me  to  know  Thy  will,  O  God 

And  may  I  see  each  day 
A  light  from  Heaven  upon  the  road 

To  clearly  point  the  way ! 
That  I  may  know  just  what  to  do 

And  what  to-  leave  undone, 
And  be  unto  Thy  service  true 

From  dawn  to  setting  sun." 


97 


yiii 

OBSERVATION  H     UPON    INFLUENCES    AF- 
FECTING THE  HEALTH  AND  EEFI- 
CIENCY  OF  MISSIONARY  LABORER  S^- 

Bjj  George  W.  Holmes,  M.  D.,  formerly  of  Persia 

nn  HE  most  serious  of  the  hurtful  influences  which 
-*-  confront  the  missionary  on  his  arrival  on  the 
field  are  those  due  to  insalubrity  of  climate.  In 
Nortli  China,  Korea  and  Persia  these  are  less  liarm- 
ful  tlian  in  tropical  climates,  yet  even  then  they  must 
be  taken  account  of,  and  in  the  case  of  Persia  in 
])nrticu]ar  on  ent(^rinj2;  the  country,  either  by  way 
of  the  Caspian  or  the  Persian  Gulf,  where  unhealth- 
ful  zones  must  be  passed  through.  In  the  interior, 
(lie  altitude  of  our  stations,  ranging  from  3,500  to 
6,000  feet,  proves  to  many  a  disturbing  eb^uient.  Tlie 
air  in  sucl)  altitudes  as  Persia,  Mexico,  Guatenuila, 
and  Colondiia  is  mucli  larer  than  at  sea,  level,  and 
is  less  rich  in  oxygen.  It  therefore  becomes  neces- 
sary to  inhale,  so  far  as  possible,  only  pure  air,  and 
as  much  of  it  as  possible.  Much  out-door  exercise  is 
important  in  orrler  to  secure  these  results,  and  to 
increase  the  capacity  of  the  lungs  for  air.  This, 
with  the  difference  in  atmospheric  pressure  and 
other  causes,  throAvs  on  tlie  heart  a  greater  burden 
thjan  cnstomary,  and  functional  disturliances  or 
dilatation  may  result.  The  circulation  in  the 
brain  and  neiwe  centres  is  impeded,  and  insomnia 
and  nei'vous  prostration  result,  aggravated  by  the 
anemia  due  to  a  malarious  atmosphere,  wliich  is 

98 


Counsel     to     N  e  to     Missionaries 

every^vhere  present.  The  hot  sun  of  summer,  whose 
ra^^s  the  rare  atmosphere  but  feebly  intercepts,  and 
the  constant  glare  from  dead  walls  and  barren 
plains  intensify  these  troubles,  when  once  the  nor- 
mal tone  of  the  nervous  system  is  impaired.  The 
preventive  measures  indicated  are,  first,  to  cover 
all  garden  walls,  if  possible,  with  vines,  woodbine, 
liop  orgrape.  This  cannot  be  done,  hoAvever,  without 
an  abundance  of  running  water,  and  unless  that  is 
secured  in  purchasing  property,  it  can  hardly  be  ac- 
complished in  some  stations  at  all.  Second,  to 
spend  much  time  out  doors  where  the  eye  can  rest 
on  verdure  and  foliage  and  the  other  benefits  of  out- 
door life  mentioned  may  be  secured.  Third,  to  elim- 
inate as  far  as  possible  every  influence,  internal  or 
external,  which  disturbs  the  tranquility  of  mind 
and  heart,  which  is  so  important  an  element  in  the 
missionary's  well-being.  More  will  be  said  on  this 
topic  later  on. 

The  water  supply  must  be  made  a  matter  of  con- 
stant care  and  watchfulness ;  first,  to  see  that  it  is 
()])taiued  from  a  source  which  cannot  be  contami- 
nated through  wells  higher  up ;  second,  to  see  that  it 
is  kept  pure  aftrr  being  brought  into  the  house. 
Boiling  does  not  alone  insure  its  purity.  The  jugs 
in  which  the  boiled  water  is  kept  are  very  porous, 
and  thus  they  cool  the  water  by  its  constant  evapo- 
ration from  the  outside.  But  for  the 'same  reason 
tlie  substance  of  the  vessel  becomes  filled  with  the 
impurities,  as  with  a  fiJter,  and  the  jug  must  either 
])e  ^^fired"  from  time  to  time,  or  replaced  by  a  new 
one.  I  need  not  say  that  typhoid  fever,  msfetrra,^ 
dysenter;^'  and  other  diseases  are  propagated  by  im- 
pure water.  That  is  now  well  enough  understood 
bv  nil. 


C  o  u  n  s  e  I     t  o     N  e  iv     Missionaries 

It  is  well  to  remind  you  that  tliougli  the  climate 
of  some  stations,  such  as  those  we  occupy  in  Persia, 
is  very  dry,  and  therefore  favorable  in  itself  for 
consumptives,  there  is  notv/ithstanding  a  great 
deal  of  tuberculosis  prevalent  in  these  lands.  This 
is  doubtless  due  in  Persia  to  the  dampness  of  the 
houses,  ^^hich  are  built  of  earth,  often  impregnated 
highly  with  hygroscopic  alkalies,  and  in  which  the 
simplest  principles  of  ventilation  are  systematically 
viohited.  ^'ee  to  it  that  the  walls  and  floors  of  your 
houses  are  kept  dry,  and  that  the  rooms  are  capable 
of  good  ventilation.     . 

(^wing  to  the  dryness  of  the  atmosphere  radiation 
is  very  rapid,  and  if  overheated  one  cools  very 
quickly  on  sitting  down  in  the  shade.  Therefore, 
extra  care  is  needed  to  avoid  chills  and  congestions, 
and  either  light  woolen  under  garments  should  be 
A^'orn  in  summer  or  wraps  should  be  always  at  hand 
when  out  doors. 

He  was  a  wise  man  whose  thought  found  expres- 
sion in  the  maxim,  "When  in  Rome  do  as  the  Ro- 
mans do,"  no  matter  how  many  persons  justify 
themselves  by  it  in  doing  things  when  abroad  that 
they  T^'ould  be  ashamed  to  be  suspected  of  doing  at 
home.  It  is  easy  to  criticise  the  unstudied  Oriental 
for  his  primitive  methods  in  manufactures,  and  in 
agriculture,  for  the  deliberation  with  Avhich  he  sets 
out  on  a  journey,  and  proceeds  from  stage  to  stage, 
for  his  habit  of  sleeping  directly  after  each  of  his 
principal  meals,  for  fho'  seclusion  of  his  women,  and 
the  narro'^\'ness  and  crookedness  of  his  streets.  ^yG 
are  apt  to  forget  that  the  eternal  fitness  of  things 
requires  co-ordination  and  correlatioTi  of  the  differ- 
ent meml>ers  of  an  organism.  Tlie  armor  of  Saul 
was  only  a  burden  to  the  youthful  David,  and  West- 

100 


Counsel     to     N  e  n'     Mission  a  r  i  e  s 

em  civilization  would  only  shackle  the  Orient  until 
the  conditions  out  of  whicli  that  civilization  was  de- 
veloped had  also  become  the  possession  of  Eastern 
peoples.  Ho  long  as  tlie  atmosphere  of  the  harem 
prevails,  the  seclusion  of  women,  the  zenana,  the 
veil,  and  tlie  despotism  of  tlie  mother-in-law  are 
uecessar3\  The  narrow,  crooked  streets  of  an  Orien- 
tal citv  are  an  olf ence  to  the  American,  neAvly  ai'- 
rived,  l)ut  tiiey  have  the  advantage  that  under  a 
blazing  noonday  sun  one  cannot  pursue  their  tor- 
tuous courses  far  in  any  direction  without  meeting 
A\-ith  a  good  many  bits  of  A\'elcome  and  refreshing 
shade.  The  plowman  prefers  the  crooked  stick, 
pointed  with  iron,  to  the  best  product  of  our  Amer- 
ican manufactories,  for  various  reasons.  To  begin 
with  he  has  no  money  with  which  to  buy  an  Ameri- 
can plow.  If  tlie  plow  ^yeve  given  him  his  thin  yoke 
of  steers  could  not  draw  its  share  through  the  hard 
sunbaked  soil.  If  a  second  yoke  of  cattle  were  given 
him,  he  Avould  have  nothing  with  wliich  to  feed 
them,  and  would  perhaps  have  no  second  boy  to  sit 
(m  the  yoke  and  hold  it  down  in  place  on  the  shoul- 
ders of  the  oxen.  Then  when  the  share  or  the 
woodwork  needs  mending  he  has  no  money  for  that 
purpose,  even  could  he  find  a  smith  or  carpenter 
wlio  knew  how  to  do  the  work.  So  he  wisely  con- 
tents himself  with  the  plow  his  fathers  used  and 
leaves  the  use  of  agricultural  machinery  to  those 
for  whom  God  has  provided  such  things. 

The  Persian  never  undertakes  to  ^^beat  the  rec- 
ord," when  he  sets  out  on  a  journey,  but  he  does  tiy 
to  make  himself  as  comfortable  as  possible  while 
on  the  road,  knowing  that  there  are  many  com- 
pensations to  be  got  from  its  weariness  and  its  dis- 
comforts if  one  make  the  best  of  his  opportunities. 

101 


U  o  u  n  s  G  I      to     N  e  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

It  is  true  he  puts  himself  to  some  unnecessary  in- 
convenience in  waiting  for  an  auspicious  conjunc- 
tion of  the  stars  before  making-  his  first  stage,  but 
his  first  ''menziP'  is  usually  but  a  few  miles  distant, 
and  thence,  having  formally  inaugurated  his  jour- 
ney, he  is  at  liberty  to  go  farther  when  it  pleases 
him.  He  therefore  has  time  to  inspect  his  equip- 
ment, to  add  to  what  is  lacking,  and  discard  what 
is  found  superfluous.  This  done,  he  proceeds  on 
his  Avay  quietly  and  without  confusion,  and  with  the 
reasonable  prospect  of  arriving  at  his  next  menzil 
before  the  heat  of  the  sun  has  proved  exhausting, 
for  he  has  set  out  several  hours  before  sunrise,  and 
has  a  large  part  of  the  distance  covered  before  the 
cool  of  the  morning  has  passed. 

He  finds  many  other  advantages  in  this  early 
start.  He  doesn't  wait  to  prepare  a  hearty  meal, 
which  would  necessarily  cause  considerable  delay, 
but  partakes  of  a  light  repast  of  tea,  dry  bread  and 
cheese,  and  is  quickly  in  the  saddle.  If  the  way  is 
long,  he  stops  about  ten  o'clock,  has  his  breakfast, 
and  takes  a  short  nap ;  otherwise  he  makes  sure  to 
reach  his  next  menzil  in  time  for  an  afternoon 
siesta,  and,  should  he  chance  to  be  a  Behai  mis- 
sionary, in  time  to  gather  around  him  afterwards  a 
little  audience,  and  explain  to  them  the  principles 
of  the  new  faith.  He  gets  to  bed  early,  as  do  his 
servants  and  animals,  and  arises  early  after  a  re- 
freshing rest,  to  repeat  tlie  order  for  the  next  day. 

The  occidental,  taking  the  same  journey,  doesn't 
consult  the  stars.  He  fixes  upon  a,  day  for  his  de- 
parture, divides  the  nundier  of  miles  tO'  be  traveled 
by  tire  num])er  he  tliinks  he  can  force  his  animals  to 
cover  in  a  day,  an<l,  if  he  can  find  menzils  for  tlie 
night  to  correspond,  decides  to  ''be  therc^'  in  so 

102 


Counsel     to     New     M  i  s  s  i  o  ti  a  r  i  e  s 

many  days.  He  doesn't  like  early  rising,  so  he  gets 
up  late,  and  he  doesn't  like  traveling  on  an  empty 
stomach,  so  he  has  a  full  breakfast  prepared.  He 
oonse(iuently  begins  liis  journey  Avhen  it  is  already 
liot;  he  has  no  time  to  stop  for  his  mid-day  nap;  he 
arrives  at  his  menzil  late,  and  is  tired,  hungry,  and 
cross,  and  servants  and  animals  are  in  like  condi- 
tion. His  ill-humor  is  aggravated  on  finding  that 
his  favorite  horse  has  a  loose  shoe,  and  that  his 
hostler,  in  the  hurry  of  departure,  had  forgotten 
the  bag  of  horse  shoe  nails  and  shoeing  instruments. 
He  is  a  missionary,  but  lie  has  arrived  so  late  that 
after  tlie  necessary  things  are  done,  there  is  no  time 
left  to  gatlier  the  people  together  to  tell  them  of 
Christ ;  he  gets  a  late  supper,  goes  late  to  bed,  gets 
up  late,  gets  off  late,  and  repeats  the  story  of  the 
first  day  to  tlie  end  of  the  journey.  He  arrives 
tliere  a  day  or  two  in  advance  of  his  Persian  felloAv- 
traveler,  notwithstanding  he  has  rested  on  the  Sab- 
bath, but  his  Sabbath's  rest  has  not  compensated 
for  the  wear  and  tear  of  his  Western  methods  of 
travel.  He  has  gained  a  day  or  two  of  time,  and  has 
sliortened  his  ]3ei-iod  of  effective  service  by  some 
weeks  or  months.  He  may  possibly  have  lost  an 
eternity  of  opportunity,  in  passing  by  on  the  other 
side,  in  his  liaste  to  get  on,  some  who  would  have 
gladly  received  the  word  into  good  and  honest 
licarts,  liad  lie  waited  long  enough  to  find  them  out. 
In  carrying  on  work  within  the  station  it  is  bet- 
ter, if  possible  to  bring  it  about,  to  adjust  your 
liours  for  eating  and  sleeping  to  synchronize  with 
those  of  the  people.  In  Persia  they  usually  arise 
vrith  the  sun  or  earlier,  say  their  prayers,  eat  a  very 
light  repast  of  tea  and  dry  bread,  and  from  then 
till  nearly  noon  they  are  ready  for  business  or  so- 

103 


Counsel     to     N  e  to     Missionaries 

eial  intercourse,  and  if  the  missionary  were  able  to 
accustom  liimself  to  the  taking  of  so  unsubstantial 
and  so  early  a  morning  meal,  he  would  find  that  the 
intervals  during  which  lie  was  at 'liberty  to  make 
and  receive  calls  were  greatly  lengthened,  a  point 
of  great  importance  in  mailing  appointments  with 
people  so  unpunctual  as  the  Persians. 

Anything  ^^iuch  will  smooth  the  way  toward 
bringing  the  missionary  most  effectively  into  in- 
dividual personal  contact  with  men  will,  if  he  have 
the  faculty  of  dealing  with  men  when  he  meets 
them,  result  in  the  greatest  good  to  the  work,  and 
in  diminishing  tlie  employment  of  Avasteful  effort. 
To  one,  this  personal  work  will  be  exhausting;  to 
another  exhilarating.  It  should  be  made  the  aim  of 
(very  one  to  minimize  the  friction  attending  It.  For, 
ho\\  ever  eloquent  he  may  be  as  ai  preacher,  however 
skilful  a  pliysician,  or  learned  a  scholar,  it  will  not 
be  upon  masses  but  ^^ith  individuals  that  his  work 
will  count  for  most  in  the  end.  The  missionary 
should  make  it  easy  for  his  native  acquaintances  to 
drop  in  upon  him  frequently  without  feeling  that 
they  are  intruding,  or  without  compelling  them  to 
choose  an  hour  inconvenient  to  themselves  and 
their  fricnids  whom  they  may  wish  to  bring  with 
them. 

The  Persian  takes  his  first  hearty  meal  near  mid- 
day, and  then  sleeps,  or  is  in  seclusion  for  several 
hours.  His  sleeping  after  a,  full  meal  impairs  his 
digestion  to  the  same  extent  that  it  does  in  the  case 
of  an  infant  or  of  one  of  the  lower  animals.  From 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon  till  sundown  be  is  again 
at  leisure,  or  at  work,  as  the  case  may  be.  Could 
the  missionary's  evening  meal  be  postponed  till  sun- 
set here  is  another  considerable  interval,  in  Avhich 

104 


Counsel     to     N  e  lo     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  6 

his  OAvn  freedom  from  household  duties  and  that  of 
the  people  harmonize. 

But  it  is  not  always  easy  to  bring  this  about.  In 
stations  where  the  homes  of  the  missionaries  are 
scattered,  tlie  streets  are  often  closed  betAveen  them 
by  gates,  which  are  prohibitory  to  passage  through 
them  not  long  after  dark,  so  if  there  are  social  or 
religious  meetings  to  attend  in  the  eTenings,  supper 
must  be  eaten  before  going,  which  makes  it  very 
early,  or  after  returning,  which  brings  it  very  late. 
I  do  not  propose  a  solution  of  the  difficulty,  but 
only  to  present  an  ideal  AA'hich  I  wish  it  were  possi- 
ble to  work  out  I  have  frequently  spent  a  month 
or  more  at  a  time  as  a  guest  at  native  houses,  and 
have  been  surprised  to  observe  how  much  longer  the 
day  appeared,  and  how  much  more  time  I  had  for 
making  and  receiving  calls  than  when  at  home,  even 
after  -  niaking  allowance  for  the  usual  details  of 
\&^^m^f^  which  consume  time  so  often  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

Tlie  more  nearly  the  missionary  can  conform  to 
the  ways  of  tlie  people,  in  so  far  as  their  ways  are 
not  hurtful,  the  more  readily  will  he  overcome  prej- 
udice, and  prejudice  is,  next  to  original  sin,  the 
most  serious  ojjstacle  he  has  to  encounter  in  his 
work  for  souls.  I  do  not  think  that  in  Persia  any- 
thing would  be  gained  by  wearing  native  costumes. 
It  would  probably  create  distrust ;  yet  I  Avould  rec- 
ommend, earnestly,  for  medical  missionaries  visit- 
ing the  harems,  or  even  in  the  dispensaries,  where 
many  women  come  for  treatment,  at  such  times 
only,  the  adoption  of  the  Prince  Albert  coat,  well 
buttoned,  rather  than  the  cutaways  so  commonly 
worn,  and  AAiiich  are  regarded  by  orthodox  Persians 
as  hardly  decent,  even  for  the  society  of  men.     So 

105 


C  o  II  n  set      to     N  e  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  ,s' 

the  use  of  a  head  coveriiijj'-  and  lii^lit  veil,  by  the  mis- 
.sionarj  ladies  ^^'hen  passing  through  the  streets, 
and  of  a  light  ^^^ap  \\\\v\\  tight-fitting  waists  are 
w  orn,  and  their  avoidance  of  traveling  alone,  with 
only  nienservants  in  attendance,  are  to  my  mind 
sufficiently  slight  concessions  to  prejudices  which 
exist  in  the  minds  of  the  native  women  as  well  as 
men,  and  v/hich  must  n(^eds  be  conciliated  if  we 
are  to  reach  their  hearts.  V\i?  do  not  dispel  preju- 
dice by  ignoring  it,  much  less  by  deliberately  run- 
ning counter  to  it.  Tlie  fable  which  shows  hoAV 
easih^  the  sun  persuaded  the  traveler  to  remove  his 
overcoat,  Avheu  the  strongest  etforts  of  the  north 
wind  had  only  resulted  in  nuiking  him  cling  to  it 
the  more  teiiaciously,  is  well  worth  the  careful  con- 
sideration of  the  missionary  who  would  win  the  peo- 
ple r's  hearts  to  Christ.  We  must  get  down  off  our 
high  horse  of  self-conceit  if  we  would  be  yoked  to- 
gether in  a  couimon  service  with  Him  who  is  meek 
and  lowly  in  heart.  Our  eft'orts  tO'  remove  causes 
of  prejudices  operating  against  ourselves  will  also 
bear  fruit  in  helping  us  to  overcouie  our  own  preju- 
dices against  the  people,  without  which  we  can  nev- 
er make  a  beginning  of  rendering  them  effective 
help. 

These  things  have  a  very  important  bearing  on 
the  subject  of  my  paper.  The  ultimate  ideal  of  me- 
chanical science  is  to  produce  a  frictionless  engine, 
whicl)  shall  c(mvert  the  sum  total  of  the  force  it 
geiierates  into  working  po\\'(n'.  An  engine  that  con- 
suuK^s  half  its  fuel  in  getting  up  steaiu  enough  to 
move  its  own  wheels,  can  find  no  place  for  itself  in 
the  woi'bl's  work  of  the  twentieth  century.  So  the 
nussionary  who  expends  a  large  share  of  liis  poten- 
llal  energy  in  overcoming  obstacles  which  l]is  own 

ion 


Counsel     to      'New     Missionarie  s 

liaud  has  planted  in  his  pathway,  needs  well  to  con- 
sider whether  in  so  doing  he  is  following  Christ,  or 
tliat  most  hateful  and  most  deceitful  of  the  enemies 
of  Christ,  self.  Helf  love  in  the  hearts  of  Christ's 
messengers  is  at  the  bottom  of  more  of  our  failures 
in  evangelizing  the  nations  thus  far,  than  any  ele^ 
ments  of  our  physical  or  political  environment.  It 
was  said  of  a  distinguished  contemporary  artist, 
tiiat  he  was  ''master  of  the  gentle  art  of  making  ene- 
mies." It  is  not  desired  that  his  pupils  should 
find  their  way  to  the  mission  field.  If  it  be  objected 
that  the  duty  of  the  missionary  is  not  to  conciliate 
falsehood,  but  to  overthrow  it,  I  would  reply  that 
the  impact  of  a  projectile  is  not  augmented  by  the 
friction  of  a  rusty  bore. 

There  are  many  things  iu  the  relation  of  mission- 
aries to  one  another,  particularly  in  isolated  sta- 
tions, which  tend  to  jar  upon  delicate  sensibilities, 
and  which  demand  the  constant  exercise  of  gentle- 
ness, patience  and  forbearance.  The  v/ork  is  Avear- 
ling  and  exhausting,  and  its  demands  endless,  and 
the  moral  as  well  as  physical  tone  of  the  missionary 
suffers  from  lack  of  opportunity  for  recreation  and 
lack  of  many  accustomed  aids  to  faith  found  in  the 
social  and  religious  institutions  of  the  home-land. 
Under  such  circumstances  it  is  not  difficult  for  one 
to  fall  into  a  querulous  and  critical  attitude  toAvard 
one's  felloAv-missionaries,  to  misconstrue  their  mo- 
tives, to  forget  that  they  are  subject  to  like  demands 
upon  their  time,  and  like  deprivations.  The  charity 
that  rules  its  oavu  spirit,  that  bridleth  the  tongue, 
that  beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth 
all  things,  endureth  all  things,  has  a  positive  ther- 
apeutic value,  both  for  its  possessor  and  for  the  en- 
tire circle  avIio  are  blessed  by  its  exercise.    At  home, 

107 


Counsel     to     N  e  id     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  ^ 

if  a  chosen  coiiipanionship  prove  uncongenial,  one 
can  turn  to  others,  but  in  the  limited  circle  of  the 
mission  station  this  resource  fails,  and  one  must 
either  adjust  himself  to  his  environment  or  pay  the 
penalty.  The  most  unhappy  feature  of  it  is  that  the 
penalty  must  also  be  exacted  of  all  his  fellow-mis- 
sionaries likewise,  by  so  much  diminishing  their  col- 
lective power  for  A\'ork.  Herbert  Spencer^s  defini- 
tion of  life,  as  translated  into  common  terms  by 
Drummond,  is  ^'The  adjustment  of  interior  rela- 
tions to  exterior  relations."  In  proportion  as  the 
missionary  is  able  to  accomplish  this,  in  that  pro- 
portion does  he  possess  the  more  abundant  life,  for 
he  cannot  do  it  truly  unless  liis  environment  is  God 
and  liis  teacher  is  His  Spirit.  Truly  does  the  poet 
say,  "He  most  lives  Avho  thinks  most,  feels  the  no- 
blest, acts  tlie  ])est." 

There  can  be  no  safeguard  provided  for  the  health 
of  tlie  body  so  perfect  and  so  sui'e  as  that  the  organ- 
isiji  shall  find  in  love  its  perfect  environment.  For 
"he  that  dwell eth  in  love  dwelleth  in  God."  And 
nothing  can  so  certainly  insure  the  perfect  co-ordi- 
nation of  the  powers  of  the  organism  itself,  as  love 
— not  love  in  the  abstract,  a  comiiound  of  hysterical 
emotion  and  sc^iti mental  cant,  but  love  which,  first 
gi^'en  of  God,  is  rc^fieeted  back  to  Him  through  the 
only  medium  by  whicli  it  can  outwardly  express  it- 
self to  our  fellow-men;  love  Avhich  is  not  easily  pro'- 
voked,  thinketh  no  evil.  To  love  one  another  is  the 
old  commandment  Avhich  becomes  new  with  each 
new  opportunity  for  its  fulfillment,  of  which  the 
wise  man  lias  said  that  "length  of  days,  and  years 
of  life,  and  peace  shall  (it)  add  to  thee." 

He  was  a  wise  ti'avc^hn'  who,  on  setting  out  upon 
his  journeys,  always  laid  aside  a  definite  sum  to 

108 


C  o  II  n  s  e  I     to     No  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  -s* 

meet  losses  incurred  by  overcharges;  exactions,  and 
petty  robberies  under  various  names.  It  was  in- 
evitable, be  said,  that  these  offences  should  come. 
\\  by  should  he  alloAv  them  to  rob  him  of  all  the  en- 
joyment of  his  trip.  He  preferred  to  pay  all  such 
exactions  out  of  the  fund  set  aside  for  them,  and 
then  to  dismiss  them  from  his  mind.  I  sliould 
count  this  man's  iihilosophy  an  indispensable  part 
of  every  missionary's  outfit.  When  tempted  to  in- 
veigh against  the  conditions,  moral,  social, political, 
sanitary,  that  one  is  confronted  with  constantly  in 
missionary  lands,  bear  in  mind  that  you  were  not 
sent  to  call  the  righteous  but  sinners  to  repentance. 
If  these  things  wei-e  non-existent,  together  with  the 
causes  whicli  produced  them  and  other  evils,  your 
being  there  in  your  present  capacity  were  an  imper- 
tinence. Decide  before  you  leave  home  whether  you 
are  prepared,  in  little  things  as  well  as  great,  to  en- 
dure liardness  for  Christ's  sake.  If  not  you  are  not 
called  to  the  foreign  field. 

You  will  be  tried  by  the  slowness  of  your  servants 
and  the  deliberation  with  which  citizens  and  labor- 
ers of  every  kind  do  their  ^'ork.  If  you  are  a  proved 
mechanical  genius  you  may  venture  to  introduce 
souie  modifications  into  their  ways  of  doing  things. 
But  I  would  recall  Kipling's  warning  lines,  which 
you  Avill  enjoy  reading  better  after  a  few  years 
than  now^ 

^'O  it  is  not  good  for  the  Christian's  health 
To  hustle  the  Aryan  brown  ; 

For  the  Christian  riles,  and  the  Aryan  smiles. 
And  he  weareth  the  Christian  down. 

And  the  end  of  the  fight  is  a  tombstone  white 
With  the  nam.e  of  the  late  deceased. 

And  the  epitaph  drear,  ^A  fool  lies  here, 
Who  tried  to  hustle  the  East.'  " 

109 


IX 

MKDIVAL  ADVICE  TO  NEW  MISSIONARIES 
By  IK.  J.  Wanless,  M.  TJ.,  of  India 


rp  HE  inisKsionary  shoul 
-*-     care  of  liis  health  ii 


should  remember  always  that  the 
is  a  matter  of  great  import- 
ance, for  tlie  work's  sake  as  well  as  his  own.  The 
missionary  is  the  most  valuable  property  the  church 
l>()ssesses  abroad  and  its  careful  preseryation  is  a 
}<}}}€  qua  noji  to  continuous  and  successful  seryice. 
Tliis  does  not  mean  that  the  missionary  should  cod- 
dle himself.  It  does  mean  that  he  be  seusible  and 
reasonable. 

The  i)rop(4'  care  of  the  liealtli  on  i\\e  mission  field 
involves  prst — 

Ej'crcfsc. — Exercise  should  be  (1)  systeinatic — 
not  a  hapliazard  atteuipt  to  get  a  little  exercise  oc- 
casionally. Tliere  should  be  a  set  time  for  exer- 
cise, and  tliis  sliould  be  given  up  only  in  obedience 
to  most  urgent  calls  to  other  duty.  The  tendency 
in  all  tropical  and  semi-tropical  climates  is  for  the 
circnlation  to  grow  sluggish,  the  liver  torpid  and 
the  muscles  i-elaxed  and  llabby ;  f(U'  all  this  system- 
atic exercise  is  the  only  preventative.  Of  course 
some  missionaries  who  travel  and  tour  constantly 
will  get  the  major  part  of  their  exercise  in  the  per- 
foi'mance  of  their  regular  work,  but  fre(|uently  get- 
ting exercise  in  one^s  work  is  an  unsatisfactory 
makeshift  if  I  he  work  is  not  done  continually  out 
of  doors.  Systematic  exercise  is  necessary  in  order 
to  a  diversion  of  the  mind,  if  for  no  other  reason; 
(2)  TJir  forn}  of  exercise  is  not  a  matter  of  great  im- 

110 


C  o  H  )i  -s  el      to      N  6  w     M  i  .s  s  i  o  u  it  r  i  e  s 


portance,  provided  it  is  not  indulged  iu  to  the  point 
of  exhanstion  or  ])rofound  fatigue,  and  m  carried 
out  in  tlie  op(Mi  air.  l^awn  tennis,  liadminton,  horse- 
back riding,  1)]'isk  club-swinging,  walking  on  level 
in  coiupany,  bill  clind)ing,  garcbming,  chopping 
wood,  etc.,  are  commonly  used  forms  of  exercise; 
(3)  llic  time  to  be  given  to  daily  exercise  will  vary 
with  the  form  of  the  exercise;  half  an  hour  to  one 
bour  will  be  generally  sufficient;  (4)  A  cold  plunge, 
shower  or  sponge  bath  after  exercise,  followed  by  a 
brisk  rub  will  improve  the  value  of  the  recreation; 
(5)  Persons  suffering  from  heart  or  lung  disease 
should  not  indulge  in  active  exercise  without  con- 
sulting a  pliysician;  (G)  For  the  relief  of  chronic 
constipation,  if  general  exercise  is  not  sufficient,  it 
is  well  to  employ  exercises  which  act  mechanically 
upon  th(^  abdomen,  such  as  standing  erect  with 
arms  above  the  head  and  then  trying  to  touch  the 
floor  without  Ijeiuling  the  knees,  or  lying  upon  the 
back  and  trying  to  sit  up  without  using  the  hands, 
(»tc.,  eaiCh  exercise  to  be  repeated  a  number  (10) 
of  times  daily. 

I>aihinr/. — Most  missionaries  in  tropical  or  semi- 
tropical  climates  bathe  at  least  once  a  day,  which 
is  a  good  rule.  In  the  hottest  months  more  fre- 
quent bathing  may  be  called  for.  Persons  accus- 
iomed  to  bathing  in  hot  water  at  home  should  accus- 
tom themselves  to  the  cold  or  tepid  bath  on  the  mis- 
sion field.  Persons  who  use  only  the  hot  bath  are 
more  susceptible  to  colds  than  those  w^ho  use  the 
cold  bath.  Harm  is  frequently  done  to  young  chil- 
dren by  the  constant  use  of  the  hot  bath.  Prom 
Inrth  children  should  be  bathed  in  tc^pid  and  prefer- 
ably cool  or  cold  Avater.  It  is  not  necessary  or  ad- 
visable to  change  suddenly.    Lowering  the  tempera- 

111 


C  0  u  n  s  c  I     to     N  e  IV     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  7^  i  e  s 

ture  of  the  bath  gradually,  a  degree  a  Aveek  for  ex- 
ample, Avill  soon  enable  any  child  to  hear  cold  bath- 
ing to  advantage.  Any  evil  effects  of  a.  cold  bath 
are  avoided  by  a.  brisk  rub  following  the  bath  and 
the  proper  clothing  of  the  body  afterwards.  A  chill 
from  a  bath  will  not  cause  malaria. 

Clothing. — Little  may  be  said  under  this  head 
except  that  w^hatever  kind  of  clothing  is  used  the 
abdomen,  chest  and  spine  should  be  properly  pro- 
tected by  clothing  which  will  not  allow  rapid  evapo- 
ration of  perspiration  and  cooling  of  the  surface. 
Generally  light  flannel  is  the  safest  and  most  satis- 
factory material  to  wear  next  the  skin  over  the 
vital  parts.  A  flannel  binder  is  in  coanmon  use  as 
a  protector  of  the  abdominal  organs  and  is  to  be 
commended.  The  legs  and  arms  of  children  in  hot 
climates  are  better  left  exposed.  Children  who  run 
barefoot  for  the  whole  or  part  of  the  da,y  are  health- 
ier as  a  rule  than  those  avIio  do  not.  Prickly  heat 
is  best  relierved  by  frequent  bathing  and  change  of 
clothing  and  the  use  of  a  non-irritating  dusting 
powder,  such  as  starch,  talc,  etc. 

Food. — Common  sense  will  usually  dictate  as  to 
what  may  or  may  not  be  safely  taken  as  an  article 
of  diet.  A  mixed  diet  is  usually  the  best.  Unripe 
fruit,  fresh  bread,  strong  teas  and  coffee  and  rich, 
highly  seasoned  foods  are  common  causes  of  indi- 
gestion, diarrlioea  and  dysenter^^  On  the  other 
hand  persons  who  are  subject  to  constipation  may 
eat  of  certain  fresh  fruits,  such  as  figs,  prunes,  etc. 
Fruit  as  a  corrective  is  best  eaten  early  in  the  morn- 
ing. In  tropical  climates  less  flesli  is  required  than 
in  a  temperate  zone.  jMeals  should  be  lighter  as  a 
rule  and  more  frequent  than  at  home.  Overeating 
is  always  harmful;  underfeeding  less  so. 

112 


C  o  i(  }}  s  c  I     to     N  e  tv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  .•? 

^^atcr. — It  is  oenerallj  unsafe  to  take  water  from 
public  wells  and  tanks  in  Asiatic  countries.  Most 
mission  stations  have  private  sources  of  water  sup- 
ply, l)ut  in  all  cases  it  is  a  good  rule  never  to  drink 
unboiled  water.  Bo  not  depend  on  filtered  'water. 
Filters  are  often  nothing  less  than  germ  traps.  'Nev- 
cr  hoil  tvater  and  then  filter  it.  If  the  water  is 
murky  filter,  then  hoil.  Boiling  renders  any  water 
safe,  but  he  sure  it  is  hoiled,  not  merclij  heated.  It 
may  be  alloA^ed  to  cool  before  drinking.  Earthen 
water  containers  soon  become  contaminated  Avitli 
germ  life;  they  should  be  cleaned  and  scalded  fre- 
quently. Glazed  lined  vessels  should  be  used  to 
store  the  water  after  it  is  boiled ;  these  should  be 
kept  clean  by  scalding. 

Rest  and  Sleep. — The  missionary  more  than  the 
home  pastor  needs  regular  sleep  and  rest.  Tlie 
bracing  atmosphere  of  the  home  climate  will  in  part 
atone  for  wakeful  and  sleepless  nights,  but  the  ener- 
vation of  a  tropical  or  semi-tropical  climate  will 
add  insult  to  injury  due  to  loss  of  sleep.  Few 
missionaries  find  that  they  can  continue  uninter- 
ruptedly and  with  impunity  the  AA'estern  pace.  A 
mid-day  break  in  the  form  of  a  few  minutes'  to  an 
hours  nap,  Avitli  a  couple  of  hours  of  recumbency, 
will  greatly  help  to  safeguard  the  strengtii,  increase 
endurance  and  prolong  life.  The  eight-hour  period 
of  sleep  in  twenty-four  should  be  faithful!}'  i^re- 
served  and  guarded. 

The  Care  of  the  Ei/es  and  Head. — All  new  mis- 
sionaries AA'ho  have  had  the  slightest  trouble  with 
tiieir  eyes  or  Avho  have  suffered  from  persistent 
headaches,  should  have  their  eyes  examined  for 
glasses  by  a  competent  oculist  (not  an  optician). 
Tlie  study  of  the  characters  of  a  new  language  will 

113 


C  o  u  II  s  ('  I      I  <>      X  ('  ir       .1/ 


y  .s'  .s'  I  ()  II  a  r  i  c  s 


often  develop  latent  errors  of  refraction  in  the  eyes, 
wliicli  otherwise  niight  show  no  symptoms.  It  is 
generally  nnwisi^  to  stndy  by  lamplight  the  charac- 
ters of  a  language  with  vrhich  one  is  nnfamiliar. 
Always  stndy  in  a  good  light.  It  is  well  to  protect 
the  eyes  from  the  glare  of  a  tropical  snn  when  out 
of  doors,  by  the  use  of  J^ondon  smoked  glasses.  A 
solution  of  boracic  acid  (10  grams  to  the  ounce),  in 
clear  water  is  a  useful  non-irritating  loticm  for  all 
forms  of  inflamed  or  irritable  eyes. 

Maternity. — The  most  important  considerations 
in  this  regard  are  given  in  another  paper.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  advice  there  given  it  may  be  said  em- 
phatically that  pregnancy  should  be  avoided  by 
women  in  a  weak  state  of  general  health  and  dur- 
ing the  presence  of  any  exhausting  disease,  such  as 
chronic  dysentery,  malaria,  anemia,  persistent  in- 
somnia, etc.  During  pregnancy,  particularly  dur- 
ing the  time  that  the  usual  monthly  period  would 
occur,  violent  exercise  should  be  avoided  and  no 
quinine  should  be  taken.  In  tropical  and  semi-trop- 
ical climates  the  enervation  and  relaxating  con- 
ditions are  such  that  miscarriage  is  more  likely  to 
occur  than  in  a  temperate  climate.  Otherwise  the 
rules  observed  in  the  home-land  should  be  carried 
out  on  the  mission  field. 

Medicines. — Missionaries  should  avoid  drugging 
themselves,  especially  in  the  case  of  chronic  head- 
ache or  continued  pain  of  any  sort.  Physicians'  di- 
rections only  should  be  folloAved  under  such  cii'cn in- 
stances. Ilowever,  most  missionaries,  where  a  phy- 
sician is  not  available,  are  called  upon  to  take  medi- 
cines at  some  time  or  other  for  acute  illness.  A  few 
household  remedies  and  tluMr  common  use  are  sug- 
gested below.    All  ar(»  sim])l(^  and  Avell-known  reme- 

114 


Counsel     to     N  e  id     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  >s 

dies.  For  further  uses  simple  books  on  family  medi- 
cine, such  as  ''Moore's  Family  Medicine  for  In- 
dia/' or  ''Warren's  Household  Physician,"  may  be 
consulted. 

Mustard  Flour — Useful  for  poultices,  blisters 
and  emetics. 

Linseed  Meal,  Tico  Founds. — Useful  as  a  poul- 
tice. The  seeds  may  be  used  to  make  linseed  tea, 
useful  in  cough  and  scantiness  of  urine. 

Turpentine^  Eight  Ounces. — Useful  for  fomenta- 
tion. A  tablespoonful  to  a  pint  of  hot  water.  May 
be  used  in  flatulent  diarrhoea,  a  few  drops  in  a  cup 
of  hot  water  occasionally. 

Castor  Oily  Eight  Ounces. — May  be  applied  to 
sores  and  ulcers  by  adding  one  part  of  carbolic  acid 
to  thirty  of  the  oil.  Best  known  remedy  as  cathar- 
tic at  outset  of  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  bronchitis, 
croup,  colic  in  children,  etc. 

f^antomin,  One-Quarter  Ounce. — For  intestinal 
worms.  Dose  for  child  five  years,  two  grains,  fol- 
lowed in  eight  hours  by  cathartic.  Give  on  empty 
stomach. 

Calomel,  One-Quarter  Ounce. — Useful  as  cathar- 
tic in  torpid  state  of  liver  and  constipation.  Gen- 
erally best  given  at  night  (three  to  six  grains  for  an 
adult),  followed  by  a  dose  of  Epsom  salts  or  castor 
oil  on  rising.  Not  to'  be  repeated  without  doctor's 
orders, 

Epsom  faults  (Magnesium  f^iilphate),  One  Found. 
— Useful  simple  cathartic  for  adults.  Useful  in 
dysentery,  diarrhoea  and  constipation. 

Ipecacuanha',  One  Ounce. — Specific  for  dysen- 
tery. Must  be  taken  in  20  to  40  grain  doses  on  emp- 
ty stomach.    Repeat  if  vomited,  and  remain  perfect- 


115 


t  o     N  r  ir     M  i  s  ,s'  /  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

ly  quiet  in  bed,  witli  head  Ioav,  for  four  hours.  Con- 
tinue use  two  to  three  times  daily  till  cure<L 

^\  ine  of  Ipecac,  One  Ounces — Useful  in  cough, 
croup,  broncl litis,  etc.  Dose  for  child  of  one  year 
five  to  ten  drops  every  two  to  tliree  hours. 

Paregoric y  One  Ounce. — Useful  for  colic  in  in- 
fants, cough  and  bronchitis.  Dose  for  child  of  one 
year,  five  to  ten  drops. 

Spirits  of  Camphor,  Tiro  Ounces. — Useful  in 
cough,  in  fainting  spell,  cholera,  diarrhcra,  a  heart 
stimulant.  Dose,  five  to  ten  drops  dissolved  in 
liquor,  Avater  added  afterward. 

Aromatic  Spirit  of  Ammonia,  Two  Ounces. — Use- 
ful in  bilious  headache,  flatulence,  weakness,  faint- 
ing, etc.    Dose,  20  to  40  drops  in  water. 

Stveet  Sjnrits  of  Nitre,  Two  Ounces. — Useful  in 
cough,  colic,  irritability  of  bladder,  flatulence  and 
colic.     Dose,  10  to  40  drops  in  water. 

Strong  Ammonia,  One- Half  Oimce.— For  insect 
bites,  scorpion  stings,  etc.  Dose,  five  to  ten  drops 
dissolved  in  eight  to  ten  ounces  of  water  and  re- 
peated every  ten  minutes  till  relieved. 

J'^ill  Water,  One  Ounce. — Useful  for  colic  in  in- 
fants. 

Quinine,  Ten  Ounces. — For  malaria,  etc.  Dose, 
five  tO'  fifteen  grains  between  attacks  of  fever.  Dose, 
one  to  two  grains  (one-grain* tablets)  thrice  daily, 
as  preventive.  Tablets  or  powders  are  preferable 
to  pills. 

Plirnacetiu,  One-Balf  Ounce. — For  headaclie, 
rheumatism,  fever,  etc.  Dose,  five  to  ten  grains,  not 
to  be  given  to  persons  Avith  Aveak  heart. 

(lilorate  of  Pot((sh,  One  Ounce. — TAventy  grains 
to  the  ounce  as  mouth  Avash  and  gargle  in  sore 
mouth  and  throat.    Not  to  be  swallowed. 

110 


C  o  n  n  s  c  I     t  o     X  e  w     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

BorcLi-  and  Boucy,  One  Ounce, — For  sore  moiitli 
in  iufauts.    Apply  on  clean  linen  rag. 

Vaseline. — General  nse  in  sores  and  skin  diseases. 

Sidphiu^  Ointment. — Application  in  itcli  and 
parasitic  skin  diseases. 

Zinc  Ointment. — Useful  in  inflammatory  skin 
diseases. 

Carbolic  Acid^  Two  Ounces. — Antiseptic  lotion. 
One-lialf  a  teaspoonful  to  15  ounces  of  water  for 
\Yasliing  wounds,  sores,  etc. 

A  Davidson  Sj/ringe. 

A  Fountain  Hi/ringe. 

A  Couple  of  Tu-o-Ounce  Glass  Sijringes. 

Measure  Glasses. 

Glass  Droppers. 

Bootes. — "Moore's  Family  Medicine  for  India/' 
or  "Warren's  Household  Physician." 


117 


BPECIAL   MEDICAL   COUNSEL   TO    WOMEN 
MISSIONARIES. 

By  Bertha  Caldwell^  M.  D.,  Formerly  of  India'. 

V  OU  have  applied  to  the  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
-*-  sions  for  service  in  that  portion  of  God's 
vineyard,  and  I,  as  one  who  has  been  ''on  the 
field/'  have  been  asked  to  give  you  a.  few  private 
suggestions  regarding  your  health  and  how  to  fit 
yourself  physically,  both  before  starting  and  after 
you  have  reached  your  destination.  Not  all  the  sug- 
gestions, however,  that  would  fill  volumes  will  do 
any  good  unless  they  are  coupled  with  sound  com- 
mon sense,  on  the  part  both  of  the  giver  and  of  the 
receivers,  and  so,  in  the  few  suggestions  I  am  privi- 
leged to  give  you  I  shall  take  it  for  granted  that 
you  are  richly  endowed  with  a  practical  mind,  and 
really  wish  the  best  equipment  in  the  way  of  health 
that  it  is  possible  for  you  to  have. 

Let  me  begin,  tlien,  with  the  subject  of  eyes  and 
ask  you  whetlier,  when  you  have  been  studying  at 
college  or  teaching  or  doing  any  close  work,  your 
eyes  have  given  you  the  least  trouble.  If  so,  do  not 
dream  of  coming  to  a  foreign  country  Avithout  con- 
sulting a  leading  oculist.  Your  family  doctor  will 
not  do  in  tliis  cas(^,  thougli  he  may  be  very  clever, 
but  it  is  a  specialist  yon  need  now.  You  nuiy  be  sta- 
tioned in  a  country  where  there  is  no  such  person 
as  an  oculist,  and  you  know  the  day  for  buying 
glasses  in  tlie  bazar  is  over.  See  to  it,  then,  if  you 
have  the  sliglitest  (h)ul)t  of  your  eyes,  or  if  you  are 

118 


Counsel     to     N  e  iv     Missionaries^ 

a  sufferer  from  headaches  which  cannot  be  traced 
to  any  other  cause,  that  you  have  them  tested.  If 
yon  find  you  need  glasses,  procure  two  pairs  to 
bring  with  you,  and  leave  your  prescription  with 
the  optician  in  case  of  accident.  The  Oriental  lan- 
guages have  very  fine  characters,  most  trying  to  the 
beginner,  and  you  will  need  to  be  extremely  careful 
and  shut  up  your  books  on  the  first  symptom  of  eye 
strain.  And  I  Avish  to  say  to  those  who  already 
wear  glasses  that  it  will  be  a  wise  precaution  to 
have  your  eyes  retested,  and  wear  and  get  used  to 
your  glasses  a.  few  weeks  before  sailing.  I  have 
known  several  sad  cases  where  the  young  mission- 
aries put  off  the  final  test  till  the  last  thing  before 
sailing  and  suffered  the  penalty  for  years  after  in 
badly  fitted  glasses. 

Eegarding  your  ears,  nose  and  throat,  I  want  to 
ask  you  questions  that  your  examining  physician 
may  not  have  deemed  necessary,  or  may  not  have 
thought  essential  in  relation  to  your  general  health. 
And  so  they  may  not  be — in  America — but  remem- 
ber, you  are  probably  going  to  a  country  where 
there  is  not  a  single  specialist  in  nose,  throat  and 
ear  diseases,  and  if  you  have  been,  even  in  the  very 
slightest  degree  annoyed  by  these  troubles  at  home, 
a  treacherous  tropical  climate  will  lay  hold  on  these 
weak  spots  of  yours  and  increase  your  annoyance 
tenfold.  Are  you  slightly  deaf,  or  if  you  have  a 
'^cold,"  do  your  ears  ever  "run"?  Ivemember,  you 
will  need  the  very  keenest  hearing  to  get  the  lan- 
guage perfectly.  Do  you  have  a  slight  catarrh  in 
the  Avinter,  having  to  do  considerable  "hawking'' 
when  you  rise  in  the  morning?  Then  allow  me  to 
suggest  that  vou  consult  your  doctor  and  become 
cured  of  this  annoyance  before  you  start,  or  the  first 

119 


Counsel     to     N  g  id     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

rainy  season  will  see  yon  laid  up  for  days,  and  prob- 
ably weeks,  with  a  weak  tliroat.  Every  form  of  mis- 
sionary work  is  dependent  on  much  talking  and 
singing,  and  if  your  throat  gives  out  and  you  be- 
come exhausted  after  the  first  lesson  or  the  first 
song,  you  will  be  poorly  equipped  indeed  for  your 
work.  Cases  of  tliis  kind  in  missionaries  come  un- 
der my  notice  only  too  frequently. 

It  seems  almost  superfluous  to  mention  the  teeth, 
yet  some  missionaries  come  out  to  foreign  fields 
very  badly  equipped  in  this  particular,  because  of 
igiiorance  of  the  fact  that  foreign  countries,  such 
as  you  and  I  are  interested  in  are  not  over-stocked 
with  dentists.  In  India  there  are  a  few  American 
dentists  scattered  at  long  distances,  but  even  in 
a,  sudden  emergency  it  is  agony  to  go  a  day's  travel 
by  rail  and  several  hours  by  tonga  and  dandi,  in 
search  of  some  one  to  relieve  the  pain.  You  should 
have  your  teeth  examined  just  before  you  start  and 
lay  in  a  large  stock  of  tooth  brushes,  which  are  gen- 
erally both  expensive  and  inferior  in  quality  outside 
of  England  or  America. 

And  now  I  ask,  have  you  the  faintest  suspicion 
of  a  goitre?  You  inay  smile  at  that  and  wonder 
why  I  ask  it,  but  it  is  astonishing  how  common  it 
seems  to  1){^  in  young  women,  and  if  I  had  not  seen 
several  young  missionaries  just  out  from  home  suf- 
fering with  slight  goitres,  which  had  to  be  treated 
for  months  by  painful  methods,  I,  too,  might  not 
have  deemed  it  important  enough  to  mention.  In- 
dia especially  is  the  country  for  large  goitres  in 
women,  due  to  certain  drinking  waters,  and  even 
the  smallest  goitres  incr(=ase  very  rapidly.  So  h^t 
me  recommend  you  to  icMiiain  out  of  a  tropical 
counti'v  until  (}\(?vy  tr.ice  of  it  has  disappeared. 

120 


Counsel     to     N  e  lo     Missionaries 

Tropical  coimtries  plaj  havoc  v>'itli  people  of 
sedentary  habits  in  the  way  of  producing  most  ob- 
stinate constipation,  and  constipation  produces  a 
train  of  symptoms,  such  as  headache  and  listless- 
ness.  Nature  seems  to  haye  provided  for  this  in 
the  abundance  and  character  of  her  fruits;  exer- 
cise, too,  in  some  shape  or  form  is  absolutely  nec- 
essary and  ought  to  be  taken  with  the  same  regu- 
larity as  the  daily  bath.  ^Missionaries  overlook  the 
fact  that  the  reason  Government  officials  stand  hot 
climates  so  well  is  because  they  believe  in  a  great 
deal  of  exercise  after  work  liours.  It  is  a  well  dem- 
onstrated fact  that  with  a  stipulated  amount  of  ex- 
ercise the  bowels  Avill  be  kept  in  good  order  aoid  the 
pores  of  the  skin  well  open.  If,  coupled  with  exer- 
cise, a  daily  cold  bath  be  indulged  in,  the  body  will 
l)e  in  the  best  possible  condition  to  combat  serious 
illness  or  sudden  epidemics. 

And  now  I  am  going  to  overlook  any  weakness 
of  heart,  lungs,  liver,  spleen  or  kidneys,  knowing 
that  these  are  points  upon  which  your  examining 
physician  will  place  much  stress,  and  upon  which 
you  also  will  naturally  be  most  particular,  and  I 
will  speak  to  you  of  several  things  especially  per- 
taining to  you  as  a  woman.  I  want  tO'  inquire  if 
you  suffer  from  backache,  low  down  in  the  spine, 
which  makes  you  perfectly  miserable  at  times;  or 
when  tired,  do  you  have  a  dragged  down  feeling  for 
wliicli  you  cannot  account,  accompanied  by  other 
signs  of  female  VNTakness?  You  ought  not  to  come 
to  your  appointed  place  until  all  this  is  remedies!, 
and  it  is  wisest  to  consult  a  good  woman  physician 
on  the  subject.  You  may  find  far  more  ailing  you 
than  you  ever  dreamed  of.  You  liave  no  more  right 
to  be  laid  up  at  "certain  periods-'  in  the  month  with 

121 


Counsel     to     N  e  to     Missionaries 

pain  and  backache  wliikron  the  field — pain  whicli 
could  have  been  remedied  at  home  had  you  been  con- 
scientious about  it — than  you  have  to  take  several 
days  from  your  school  or  office  work  in  your  own 
country.  Your  employer  would  not  permit  your  be- 
ing absent  periodically;  neither  ought  you  to  expect 
the  Board  to  allow  you  such  a  privilege.  It  is 
necessary  for  missionaries  to  be  all  the  more  con- 
scientious as  to  their  time,  though  the  Board  is  not 
a  hard  taskmaster.  There  are  medical  missionaries 
to  help  you  if  anything  happens  to  you  on  the  field, 
but  it  is  your  duty  to  lighten  their  burdens  all  you 
can  by  coming  to  your  work  as  well  equipped  in 
body  as  you  are  expected  to  be  in  mind. 

You  may  be  expecting  to  come  out  married,  or  to 
be  married  soon  after  landing,  and  for  you  I  want 
to  say  just  a  word :  The  first  year  on  any  mission 
field  is  a  hard  one;  the  process  of  acclinmtion,  of 
beginning  on  years  of  language  study,  of  settling  in 
a  new  home,  of  learning  the  natures  and  customs  of 
tlie  people  for  whose  souls'  good  you  have  come  to 
work — you  will  find  all  these  very  trying,  an<l  if 
you  attempt  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  moth- 
(H'hood  at  the  same  time,  you  will  surely  find  you 
must  neglect  some  one  important  thing  that  you 
will  regret  all  your  missionary  life.  On(^s  body 
goes  through  a,  changing  procc^ss  in  acclimation. 
AA'hy,  then,  put  it  to  a  further  sti-ain  witli  llie 
changes  which  come  with  approaching  motherhood? 
T  would  not  for  an  instant  have  you  shirk  this  re- 
sponsibility for  all  time,  but,  in  ger:eral,  I  can 
scarcely  think  of  anytliing  so  debilitating  to  a 
woman  in  a  tropical  country,  so  trying  to  lun* 
temper,  so  d(\adening  to  hei'  iiii(^r(^st  in  lier  mis- 
sionary   work,    so    ])roiie    to    sliorteu    liei'    ])ei'iod 

123 


(J  a  i(  n  .s  el      to      'N  e  ir     M  i  s  s  i  o  it  a  r  i  e  s 

of  usefulness  to  the  missiou  cause,  or  to  her 
children  themselves,  as  child  bearing  at  frequent 
intervals.  A  sick  person  does  not  recover  from 
the  slightest  illness  in  a  hot  country  as  quickly 
as  in  a  cold  one.  It  stands  to  reason,  then, 
that  it  takes  some  time  for  a  woman's  genera- 
tive organs  to  recover  tone  after  such  a  great 
change.  It  has  been  estimated  by  those  who  have 
been  interested  in  the  subject  that  fully  three  years 
ought  to  elapse  between  children,  both  for  the  good 
of  the  niotlier  and  the  child.  You  may  think  that 
such  an  arrangement  may  not  be  in  your  power. 
Careful  consideration  of  the  subject  with  the  man 
you  love  and  who  has  promised  to  protect  you  in 
every  way,  and  a  perfect  and  prayerful  understand- 
ing A^'ith  each  other  Avill  show  you  your  duty.  A 
woman  will  neither  be  able  to  do  the  work  God  has 
sent  her  out  to  do,  nor  to  give  the  care  and  attention 
to  the  children  God  will  give  her,  unless  she  keejjs 
her  body  in  the  best  tone  possible. 


123 


XI 

SUNDRY  PRACTICAL  SUGGE^TrON^ 

By  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Jcssup^  D.D.^  L.L.D.,  of  ^yria 

4  S  you  enter  on  your  work  as  a  missionary  begin 
-^  liunibly.  The  message  you  bring  is  divine, 
but  the  messenger  is  human.  You  are  a  stranger  in 
a  strange  land.  You  cannot  speak  a  word  of  the 
language. 

I.  The  people  think  that  because  you  do  not 
know  their  language  you  do  not  know  anything. 
They  pity  you,  and,  perhaps,  despise  you.  After 
all  the  years  of  your  study  and  preparation  you 
must  begin  at  the  ABC,  and  like  a  child  learn  to 
talk  and  read  and  Avrite  again. 

You  will  be  wise  if  you  gracefully  accept  the  sit- 
uation and  take  the  attitude  of  a  learner,  not  only 
in  language,  but  in  social  customs  and  business 
relations.  You  will  soon  find  that  ''they  didn't 
know  everything  down  in"  jowv  town  or  country. 
When  I  came  to  Syria  in  1856  I  thought  the 
people  foolish  in  always  boiling  their  fresh  milk 
before  using  it,  and  in  their  dread  of  consumption 
as  an  infections  disease.  They  had,  however, 
learned  by  ages  of  experience  what  Western  bac- 
teriologists have  just  found  out.  Do  not  think 
ev(*rythi ng  American  necessarily  good,  or  every- 
thing Asiatic  or  African  necessarily  bad. 

The  three  years  spent  in  language  study  Avill  be 
no  loss.  If  you  could  plunge  into  your  work  on 
your  first  arrival,  knoAving  the  language,  but  know- 
ing nolhiug  of  ilic  linbits,  prc-jmlices,  customs,  cour- 

124 


Counsel     to     N  e  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  }i  a  r  i  c  s 

tesies, proprieties,  religious  tenets  and  superstitions 
and  national  tastes  of  the  people,  you  would  make 
more  eneiiiies  in  a  year  than  you  could  unmake  in 
many  years.  Your  blunders  would  stick  to  you  and 
be  associated  with  you  in  the  minds  of  the  people, 
and  they  would  have  a  nickname  for  you  which  you 
could  not  shake  off.  A  stranger  in  any  land  needs 
to  walk  cautiously,  especially  if  he  comes  as  an 
avoAved  reformer.  In  1856  I  took  Ic^ssons  in  Arabic 
grammar  in  Tripoli,  Syria,  of  Sheikh  OAvad,  Avhose 
room  Avas  near  the  great  Mosque.  ^\  e  sat  on  the 
floor,  the  Avindow  opening  on  a  IcA^el  aa  ith  the  street. 
He  had  his  feet  draAvn  up  under  his  floAA'ing  rolje. 
I  could  not  sit  cross-legged,  and  sat  AA^th  my  feet 
extended.  He  turned  red  in  the  face,  and,  apolo- 
gizing, begged  me  to  hide  my  feet,  "For,"  he  said, 
''if  the  Effendis  pass  and  see  a  man's  feet  projecting 
that  AA'ay,  I  shall  lose  their  respect."  To  enter  a 
Moslem  house  or  a  mosque  Avith  shoes  soiled  from 
the  street  and  step  on  their  clean  rugs,  on  which 
th(\A'  press  their  foreheads  in  pra^-er,  is  looked  on 
as  utter  l)oorishness.  Far  better  AA^ear  overshoes 
and  take  tliem  off  at  the  door.  A  true  ^loslem  Avill 
not  Avear  laced  shoes,  Avliich  require  so  much  time 
in  putting  on  and  off. 

Study  the  national  customs  Avhile  you  are  study- 
ing the  language,  and  remember  Avhat  you  learn.  A 
few  colossal  blunders  Avill  promote  your  growth  in 
humility.  It  Avould  be  of  more  A^alue  to  you  to  hear 
their  remarks  about  you  than  for  them  to  under- 
stand your  remarks  about  them.  It  takes  men  of 
different  nationalities  a  long  time  to  understand 
eacli  other's  tastes,  customs  and  virtues. 

II.  Hold  on.  Dr.  Van  Dyck  was  once  asked, 
AVhat  is  the  most  important  qualification  of  a  mis- 

125 


C  ()  n  n  s  e  I      f  o     X  <■  ir     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

sioiiary?  He  said:  ''Do  one  thing  and  stick  to  it." 
Regard  your  work  as  a  life  work.  The  successful 
men  are  those  who  begin  right  and  persevere.  Let 
nothing  turn  you  aside.  You  may  have  offers  from 
home  churches  ov  professorial  chairs  or  diplomatic 
office  or  lucrative  commercial  posts,  or  may  be  as- 
sailed by  doting  family  friends  who  are  sure  you 
are  too  good  a  man  to  be  ''thrown  away  on  the 
heathen,  where  any  dolt  would  do  as  Avell,"  etc. 
But  "set  your  face  steadfastly"  forward.  Your 
usefulness  will  increase  as  you  grow  older  and 
v.iser.  A  half-hearted  missionary  had  better  stay 
at  home.  Let  it  be  understood  that  nothing  but  the 
liand  of  God  can  separate  you  from  the  work.  It  is 
a  life  enlistment.  Trials  and  bereavements  may 
come.  They  will  come.  But  let  them  fit  you  the 
better  for  more  sanctified  and  holier  service  and 
not  frighten  3^ou  avray  from  your  post.  I  knew  of 
s  missionary  who  was  invited  to  a  theological  pro- 
fessorship *^t  home  after  being  less  than  two  years 
on  the  field.  His  old  professors  said  to  him:  "We 
want  a  man  of  a  genuine  missionary  spirit  in  this 
seminary."  He  replied :  "If  I  took  this  post  I 
could  not  open  my  mouth  on  missions,  for  wdien  I 
would  say  to  the  students,  'You  ought  to  go  abroad,' 
they  would  reply,  'A^liy  didn't  you  go?'  'I  did  go.' 
'Then,  why  did  you  return?'  'To  talce  this  professor- 
ship.' 'Very  well,  we^ll  stay  and  take  professor- 
ships without  all  that  expense  to  the  churches.'  " 
No  man  shouhl  leave  the  missionary  work  unless 
driven  out  of  it  by  the  clear  indicati(M]s  of  God's 
providence. 

And  wlien  your  mind  is  fixed  you  will  Ix^  happi(^T. 
This  is  to  1)(^  my  country  nnd  my  peopl(\  Mvvi'  I 
will  live  ;ntd  di(\     All  I  am  and  have  sliall  be  d(^- 

1 2(; 


C  o  u  n  s  e  I      t  o     N  c  ir     M  i  s  s  i  o  )i  a  r  i  e  s 

voted  to  their  interests,  with  no  looking  baclv  for 
happiness  or  service  to  my  dear  native  land. 

III.  Td(=ntifv  yourself  as  far  as  possible  with 
tJie  people.  Yon  cannot  well  imitate  the  dress  of 
African  savages,  or  eat  the  food  of  Bedouin  Arabs, 
but  you  can  become  one  of  them  in  the  higher  and 
nobler  featuies  of  love,  sympathy  and  service,  of 
helpfulness  and  brotherly  counsel.  And  avoid  dis- 
paraging remarks  about  them  as  contrasted  with 
your  own  pcQple  and  country. 

In  matters  of  morals  and  sanitary  rules  and 
measures  you  should  be  wise,  firm  and  kind  while 
uncompromising.  Try  and  love  what  seems  unlove- 
ly.   Try  to  like  tlieir  customs  and  language. 

IV.  At  the  Missionary  Conference  of  Christian 
workers, held  in  Bramaiia,  Mount  Lebanon,  August, 
1901,  all  were  requested  to  write  briefly  the  three 
chief  characteristics  of  the  ideal  missionary.  Nine- 
ty papers  were  handed  in.  Among  the  features 
mentioned  were  the  following: 

The  ideal  missionary  should  be  ''sound  in  body 
and  mind,  able  to  eat  all  kinds  of  food,  pre- 
pared to  rough  it,  if  necessary."  When  Dr.  Will- 
iam Goodell  and  Rev,  Daniel  Temple  were  young 
men  under  appointment  to  Syria  and  Smyrna 
they  visited  the  churches  in  New  England  pre- 
vious to  sailing.  At  one  house  the  lady  offered 
them  a  rocking  chair.  Temple  declined,  saying,  "A 
missionary  must  learn  to  deny  himself."  Goodell 
sprang  up  and  took  it,  saying,  ''A  missionary  must 
take  Avhat  is  offered  him  without  question."  They 
were  both  right.  Both  did  good  work  and  Goodell 
was  a  model  of  Christian  cheerfulness  and  vivacity. 

Other  papers  read  as  follows :  ''An  adequate 
knowledge  of  the  language,"  "A  natural  gift  of  lan- 

127 


C  0  It  n  s  c  I     to     New     M  i  s  s  l  o  n  a  r  i  e  -s^ 

guagevs/'  "Bible  study,  heart  study,  language 
study/'  ''A  student  of  the  problems  of  his  field." 

"The  gift  of  humor  in  being  able  to  laugh  at  your- 
self and  begin  again,"  "Able  -to  preaeh  Christ  and 
not  laugh  at  the  superstitions  of  the  people." 

The  following  were  on  the  subject  of  eonsecra- 
tion:  "Perfectly  surrendered  to  God,"  "Willing  to 
efface  self  and  exalt  Christ,"  "A  Christlike  humil- 
ity," "A  bond-servant  of  Christ,"  "Emptied  of  self," 
"A  keen  ear  to  detect  God's  Avhisper,"  "Gentle  to 
all,"  "Apt  to  teach,"  "An  unadvertised  self-denial," 
"Devotion  to  Christ,"  "A  tirm  belief  in  the  people, 
ever  striving  to  find  the  angel  in  the  rough  block  of 
marble,"  "A  life  laid  down  at  the  feet  of  Christ," 
"Of  a  single  purpose,"  "Earnestness  in  prayer  and 
soul  winning,"  "A  hunger  to  bring  souls  to  Christ," 
"Christlike." 

Much  along  the  sanu'  line  Avere  these:  "Filled 
Avith  the  KSpirit,"  "Baptizc^l  Avith  tlu^  Holy  Spirit," 
"A  Avitness  of  Avliat  (Jod  has  Avrought  in  him,"  "An 
ovei*floAving  spirit-filled  life,"  "Much  in  prayer  and 
interc(n-5sion  for  others." 

The  need  of  strong  faith  and  ho])e  seemed  to  be 
the  leading  thought  in  the  minds  of  others.  "Un- 
failing faith,"  "Holds  on,  though  he  sees  no  fruit," 
"Relieves  in  the  possibility  of  human  nature," 
"TFolds  on  cheerfully  to  the  end,"  "Belief  in  the  pos- 
sibilities of  human  nature,"  "I'elief  in  God  that  He 
Avill  have  all  men  to  be  saved,"  "Sure  of  the  nlti- 
mate  triumph  of  the  Gospel,"  "Constrained  by  the 
love  of  Christ,"  "A  Christlike  love  f(n'  souls." 

Then — undoubtedly  taught  by  experience! — oth- 
ers have  Avritten  that  the  id(\al  missionarA-  "needs 
tact,  courtesy  and  kindness  to  other  missionaries 
and  the  people,"  "Common  s(M}se"  and  "sanctifi(Ml 

128 


C  o  u  n  s  e  I     to     N  e  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

oomiiion  sense,"  "A  wise  s^^mpatliy  with  others," 
''The  wisdom  of  Solomon,"  "Able  to  understand  the 
people  and  win  their  confidence,"  '^Interested  in 
every  one  he  meets,"  "Be  made  all  things  to  all 
men,"  "Keep  near  his  fellow-missionaries  and  near 
the  people,"  "Patience,"  "Compatibility,"  "The  abil- 
ity to  set  others  to  work,"  "Power  of  living  at  peace 
v\'ith  all  men,"  "A  divine  sense  of  proportion,  put- 
ting things  first  which  are  first,"  "One  who  lives  up 
to  what  he  preaches,"  "A  warm  heart,  a  hard  head, 
a  thick  skin,"  "Power  to  quench  the  thirst  of 
others,"  "He  keeps  at  it,"  "Selfiessness  in  accept- 
ing the  station  assigned,"  "Work  wisely;  neither 
\^'ear  out  nor  rust  out." 

In  the  discussion  which  followed  the  reading  of 
these  papers,  Mr.  Ellis,  of  Jerusalem,  stated  that 
an  elderly  member  of  a  missionary  Board  in  London 
was  requested  to  examine  a  young  missionary  can- 
didate. He  replied:  "Send  him  to  me  at  four 
o'clock  to-morrow  morning."  Promptly  at  four  A. 
M.  the  young  man  rang  the  door  bell  and  Avas  ad- 
mitted to  a  cold,  dimly-lighted  waiting-room.  Five 
o'clock  came,  then  six  and  seven  and  eight,  and 
finally  the  venerable  man  entered,  and  Avithout  a 
word  of  apology  said  to  him:  "Can  you  read?" 
"Certainly."  "Then  take  this  book  and  read."  He 
did  so.  Then  the  examiner  said :  "HaA^e  you  stud- 
ied arithmetic?"  "Yes."  "Hoav  much  is  tAVO  mul- 
tiplied by  tAVO?"  "Four."  "What  is  the  capital  of 
England?"  "London."  "Write  your  name  and  ad- 
dress." Lie  did  so.  "That  is  sufficient.  I  will  re- 
port on  your  case.  Good  morning."  The  young 
man  retired  in  great  amazement  at  this  singular  in- 
terAiew.  The  clergyman  reported  favorably  on  the 
candidate:     "First,  I  found  him  prompt — on  hand 

129 


Counsel    to    N  c  to    Mi  s  sionaries 

at  the  appointed  time.  Second,  he  was  patient.  He 
•,vaited  for  me  fonr  hours.  Third,  he  was  meek.  He 
did  not  eoniphun,  tliongh  I  insnlted  liim  and  treat- 
ed liim  as  a  eljihl.  Fourth,  he  knows  the  principles 
of  aritlinumc  and  geography.  Fiftli,  he  has  the 
Spirit  of  Clirist  in  not  phrasing  himself  or  asking 
an  explanation  of  my  conduct,  or  being  offended 
at  my  insults.  I  recommend  that  he  be  appointed.'' 
And  he  was. 

Be  willing  to  (jo  ivlwrc  you  are  sent.  Neither  the 
Board  of  JMissions  nor  the  mission  to  which  you  are 
going  will  be  likely  to  designate  you  to  a  post  where 
yon  can  not  do  good  worlv  for  the  ^Master.  But  be 
willing  to  go  anywhei'e. 

Let  us  go  in  <i  iraciable  spirit^  ready  to  take  ad- 
vice and  yield  to  the  voice  of  a  majority  of  our 
brethi'en.  Dr.  Kufus  Anderson,  of  the  American 
Board,  told  me  in  1857  that  a  young  man  once  came 
to  the  missionary  house  in  Boston  as  a  candidate 
for  the  foreign  mission  field.  Dr.  Anderson  invited 
him  to  walk  with  him  to  Roxbury  and  spend  the 
night  with  him,  as  he  was  accustomed  to  invite  new 
candidates  in  order  to  satisfy  himself  with  regard 
to  their  character.  As  they  were  walking,  the 
young  man  suddenly  said:  ^'T  prefer  to  walk  on 
tlu^  right  side."  Dr.  Anderson  at  once  yielded  the 
point,  and  soon  incpiired  :  ^'^lay  I  ask  why  you 
prefer  to  walk  on  thii  right  side — are  you  deaf  in 
one  ear?"  ''No,"  said  the  young  num  ;  ''but  I  prefer 
to  walk  on  the  riglit  side,  aud  /  aliraijs  will  walk  on 
the  right  side."  Thai  young  man  was  not  sent 
abroad.  Tt  was  evident  that  a  man  who  was  b^nt 
on  having  his  own  way  without  giving  reasons 
would  be  likely  to  make  mischief,  and  his  right  side 
would  be  pretty  sure  to  be  the  wrong  side. 

130 


C  o  u  n  s  e  I     to     N  e  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

Some  men  can  only  Avork  when  alone.  Let  us  re- 
joice to  vork  v:itli  others  and  yield  to  others.  One 
self-opinionated,  arbitrary,  wilful  man  may  bring 
disaster  upon  a  station.  The  majority  should  de- 
cide everyquestion.  Intractable  men  make  trouble 
enough  at  home,  yet  in  a  Christian  land  they  more 
quickly  find  their  level  under  the  tide  of  public 
opinion;  but  in  a  little  organized,  self-governing 
body  in  a  distant  corner  of  the  earth  such  men  work 
great  mischief. 

Let  us  also  be  ready  to  do  anything  in  our  power 
to  lielp  on  the  work — teach,  preach,  edit,  translate, 
travel,  build,  or  print. 

Let  us  go  forth  as  hopeful  laborers.  A  class  once 
graduated  in  Cambridge  consisting  of  three  men,  "a 
mystic,  a  skeptic,  and  a  dyspeptic."  The  mission- 
ary work  does  not  want  pessimists  who,  like  cuttle- 
fish, darken  all  the  waters  around  them  with  inky 
blackness.  Mr.  Moody  said,  at  the  meeting  of  the 
American  Board  in  ^ladison.  Wis.,  in  1894 :  ^Pes- 
simists have  no  place  in  the  Christian  pulpit.  We 
want  hopeful  men."  And  we  can  say  with  equal 
truth,  pessimists  have  no  place  in  the  foreign  mis- 
sionary Avork.  ^"^'e  want  hopeful  men  in  this  glori- 
ous agressive  warfare.  There  is  quite  enough  to 
weigh  you  down  without  carrying  lead  in  your  hat. 

Let  us  go  with  level-headed,  Christian  common 
v^/'sr.  Xothing  will  supply  the  want  of  this.  A 
misplaced  and  misnamed  '^missionary"  in  India 
once  wrote  home  to  his  friends  that  he  could  get  on 
well  enough  but  for  these  miserable  natives,  who 
kept  crowding  into  his  house ;  but  now  he  had  a 
bulldog  and  hoped  to  keep  them  off. 

A  missionary  once  sailed  for  the  East  from  an 
American  port.    He  had  packed  and  marked  all  his 

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Counsel     to     N  e  id     Missionaries 

boxes,  and  shipped  them  in  advance  of  his  own  sail- 
ing. When  half-way  to  his  field  he  was  attacked  by 
a  serious  illness,  which  obliged  him  tO'  return  to  his 
native  land.  As  his  boxes  contained  various  ar- 
ticles for  missionaries  already  on  the  field,  he  wrote 
to  them  the  following  lucid  directions:  ''Observe, 
when  you  open  the  boxes,  that  No.  1  contains  only 
my  goods;  No.  2,  my  goods  and  books  for  Mr.  — ; 
No.  3  is  all  for  Mr.  and  Mrs. — ;  No.  4  is  for  Mr. — 
and  Dr. — ,"  and  so  on  up  to  twenty  boxes.  Then  he 
added  a  postscript  as  follows :  ''The  boxes  are  not 
numbered.'' 

Do  not  be  carried  away  by  visionary  dreamers. 
Use  wisdom,  patience,  and  good  sense  in  selecting  a 
sight  for  the  permanent  mission  station.  Avoid  low, 
malarial  spots  as  well  as  inaccessible  locations. 

A  few  years  ago  a  medical  student  in  Toronto 
wrote  to  me,  inquiring  about  Jericho  as  a  proper 
site  for  a  medical  mission.  A  certain  Dr. pro- 
posed to  send  out  twenty-five  medical  missionaries 
to  Jericho,  promising  to  pay  their  expenses  and 
guarantee  tliem  an  income  from  the  natives  of  |25  a 
week  and  great  opportunities  for  doing  good.  The 
writer  said  that  his  father  doubted  the  soundness 
of  the  enterprise,  and  wished  my  opinion  of  the 
scheme.     I  wrote  him  somewhat  as  follows: 

''I  have  been  to  Jericho,  and  knoAV  all  about  its 
surroundings. 

'STericho  is  the  loicest  spot  on  the  eartli's  surface, 
geographically,  intellectually,  and  morally. 

^'It  is  the  hottest  place,  being  oiie  thousand  three 
hundred  feet  below  the  sea-level,  and  uninhabitable 
for  white  men  six  months  in  the  year. 

''The  inhabitants  nundxT  from  one  hundred  to 
t^^'o  hundred,  and  are  half-naked, savage  Arabs,  who 

132 


Counsel     to     N  e  ir     J/  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

make  a  living  by  higliMay  robbery  and  by  dancing 
around  the  tents  of  travelers  for  bakhshish. 

^'Tlie  inhabitants  north  of  them,  in  the  Jordan 
valley,  are  not  inferior  to  them  in  degradation  and 
tliieverv,  being  all  predatory  Bedonin. 

''The  inhabitants  of  Moab,  on  the  east,  and  the 
swampy  plain  south  of  the  Dead  Sea,  even  surpass 
other  Bedouin  in  poverty,  robbery,  and  Avretched- 
aess. 

"As  to  the  proposed  doctors  supporting  them- 
selves from  fees  fi'om  the  people,  it  is  not  probable 
that  the  entire  population  of  Jericho  could  raise  |5 
in  cash  any  month  in  the  year. 

"It  is  usual  to  send  missionaries  to  places  where 
there  are  men,  not  to  a  howling  wilderness, 

"If  you  and  your  companions  come,  I  would  rec- 
ommend that  you  bring  pine  boards  enough  to  make 
coffins  for  all,  as  you  would  probably  all  die  within 
a  year,  and  not  a  foot  of  lumber  could  be  found 
within  ten  miles  of  Jericho/' 

V.  I  would  empliasize  the  necessity  of  courtesy 
to  all.  The  (jolden  Rule  is  the  key  to  all  true  cour- 
tesy. 

Treat  the  people  as  you  wish  to  be  treated.  A 
Christian  is  tlie  highest  type  of  man,  and  should  be 
a  model  of  courtesy,  as  were  Christ  and  St.  Paul.  If 
you  don't  know  what  the  people  think  is  courtesy 
find  out  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  meantime  act  out 
the  law  of  kindness. 

VI.  In  learning  the  language,  learn  to  read, 
speak  and  ivrite  it.  I  have  known  many  mission- 
aries who  read  the  language  and  preach  in  it,  but 
who  could  not  write  a  letter  in  the  vernacular,  and 
had  always  to  employ  a  scribe  to  write  their  Arabic 
letters.     This  is  a  bondage  and  an  embarrassment, 

133 


C  o  u  n  s  c  I     to     N  e  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  .<? 

wliieh  you  should  avoid.  Be  sure  to  master  the  lau- 
guage,  OT  it  Avill  master  you  aud  enslaye  you. 

Let  us  perfect  ourselves  iu  the  native  languages , 
and  not  trust  to  an  intrepreter  in  preaching.  Dr. 
Wolff  traveled  in  the  East  some  eighty  years  ago, 
and  on  reaching  Tripoli,  in  Syria,  he  employed  one 
Abdullah  Yanni  to  act  as  interpreter.  One  morn- 
ing he  said:  "Abdullah,  I  am  going  to  the  bazars 
to  preach  to  the  Moslems."  Abdullah  said :  ''I  beg 
you  not  to  go,  for  they  will  mob  us.''  But  the  doc- 
tor insisted,  and  Abdullah  himself  told  me  of  the 
incident  in  1858.    He  said  : 

"We  walked  around  the  bazars,  and  Dr.  Wolff 
mounted  a  stone  platform  and  said :  'My  friends, 
I  have  come  to  preach  to  you  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 
He  that  believeth  shall  be  saved,  and  he  that  be- 
lieveth  not  shall  be  condemned.'  I  translated  as 
follows  :  ^The  Khowaja  says  that  he  loves  you  very 
much,  and  that  the  English  and  the  Moslems  are 
foica  soaW  (all  alike).  AMiereupon  the  Moslems 
applauded,  and  Wolff  thought  he  had  made  a  deep 
impression." 

I  said  to  Abdullah :  "How  could  you  deceive  a 
good  man  in  that  Avay  ?"  He  replied  :  "What  could 
I  do?  Had  I  translated  literally  we  should  have 
been  killed ;  and  Wolff  may  have  been  prepared  to 
die,  but  I  was  not." 

VII.  Canon  Ball,  of  Calcutta,  in  a  recent  ad- 
dress to  new  missionaries,  gave  some  excellent  ad- 
vice. "A  young  missionary  should  not  be  nervous 
about  his  health."  "Some  are  constantly  resorting 
to  their  mediciue  cliests  and  taking  their  tempera- 
ture." This  reminds  me  of  a  reuiark  of  the  fauious 
Dr.  Bethune,  in  an  address  before  Yale  Phi  Beta 
Kappa  in  1849,  on  the  premature  death  of  literary 

134 


Counsel     to     N  e  to     Missionaries 

men.  The  world  says,  ''Died  of  too  much  study  ;" 
the  truth  is  ''Died  of  too  ]iiuch  meat  and  too  little 
exercise."  Prevention  is  better  than  cure.  Adapt 
your  diet  to  the  climate.  Beer  and  beef  have  cov- 
ered India  with  British  graves. 

But  to  return  to  the  Canon :  He  also  says :  "By  all 
means,  secure  the  advice  of  an  experienced  mission- 
ary in  your  first  meeting  with  native  Christians. 
Never  loan  money  to  natives,  nor  promise  to  aid  in 
the  education  of  their  children.  If  you  have  proof 
that  a  worthy  man  is  in  need,  give  him  help,  but 
never  loan  money.  Nor  should  you  keep  aloof  from 
the  people.  You  have  come  to  them,  and  are  to  live 
with  them  and  should  keep  near  to  them.  Yet,  be 
wise.  Outward  salaams  and  civility  on  the  part  of 
natives  do  not  necessarily  mean  profound  respect 
and  admiration  of  you.  The  old  native  pastor,  who 
salutes  you  so  gushingly,  may  be  thinking,  'Ah,  dur- 
ing these  forty  years  I  have  seen  many  come  and  go, 
and  I  have  noticed  that  they  are  all  wise  in  some 
things  and  very  foolish  in  others,  and  I  suppose 
that  you  are  no  exception  to  the  rule.' 

"^?eek  advise  as  to  the  customs  and  etiquette  of 
the  people.  Never  gossip  with  your  langiiage  teach- 
er and  others  about  the  virtues  or  faults  of  your 
fellow  foreign  missionaries  or  their  families,  or 
about  t]ie  native  workers,  unless  you  wish  your  re- 
marks to  be  repeated  Avitliin  twenty-four  hours. 

VIII.  I  ^^'ould  also  suggest  that  you  avoid  par- 
tiality and  favoritism  in  dealing  with  the  people, 
whether  in  the  parish,  the  church  or  the  school. 
Treat  all  alike  with  uniform  kindness.  Some  are 
more  lovable  and  attractive  than  others,  but  do  not 
please  yourself,  for  "even  Christ  pleased  not  Him- 
self."    If  teaching  the  young,  you  will  be  sorely 

135 


C  o  It  n  s  c  I     to     N  e  to     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  l  e  x 

tempted  to  show  partiality  to  the  bright,  docile  and 
studious.  But  keep  your  head  level.  You  belong 
to  them  all,  and  they,  all  alike,  haA^e  a  right  to  your 
love  and  care. 

IX.  V^^hj  should  a  missionary  ever  meddle  with 
the  local  politics  of  the  land  he  has  adopted?  It  is 
neither  wise  nor  safe  to  do  it.  You  enjoy  the  protec- 
tion of  your  own  flag,  and  at  times  when  you  see  na- 
tives oi>pressed  and  unable  to  secure  justice  you  are 
tempted  to  interfere  in  their  behalf.  But  it  is  not 
^^'ise.  It  was  the  bane  of  the  mission  work  in 
Syria  in  the  early  years  of  the  mission,  that  the 
Syrians  thought  that  becoming  Protestants  would 
secure  them  English  or  American  consular  protec- 
tion. Many  ^'false  brethren"  in  this  way  professed 
Protestanism,  expecting  tlie  missionary  or  foreign 
consul  to  defend  their  law  cases  right  or  wrong. 
This  misconception  is  now  passing  away.  It  should 
never  have  existed.  Let  the  local  civil  authorities 
understand  that  Protestant  Christians  are  as 
amendable  to  the  laws  as  others.  Above  all,  do 
not  attempt  to  browbeat  the  officials,  or  carry 
a  case  by  foreign  influence.  The  Jesuits  inter- 
fere in  courts  and  intrigue  to  get  foreign  influ- 
ence for  their  converts,  right  or  wrong.  Ahvays 
pray  for  the  '^Powers  that  be."  Teach  the  people 
loyalty  to  their  sovereign.  Teach  them  to  speak  the 
truth  and  avoid  litigation  if  possible.  Local  of- 
ficials often  stand  in  terror  of  foreigners  and  will 
pervert  justice  to  please  them.  But  never  use  your 
influence  or  prestige  simply  to  gain  poAver.  Let  the 
officials  know  you  are  a  man  of  peace,  and  of  in- 
fl(\xi])le  integrity  and  respect  for  law. 

When  riiristians  are  persecuted  or  d(^frauded 
you  feel  greatly  tempted  to  interfere.     If  you  are 

i;u) 


Counsel      to     N  e  to      Missionarie  s 

ever  obliged  to  do  so,  do  it  by  private  interviews 
with  the  local  offic-ial  and  in  the  most  re- 
spectful manner,  and  show  confidence  in  his  sense 
of  justice  and  right.  But  never  use  threats  of  a 
foreign  flag  or  battleship.  Christ  lived  under  Cae- 
sar, and  Paul  under  Nero,  and  yet  both  taught  obe- 
dience to  Caesar.  Your  converts  can  hardly  have  a 
ruler  more  cruel  tlian  Nero.  Let  them  be  patient 
and  loyal,  and  you  should  be  their  example. 

X.  The  late  Rev.  Gerald  F.  Dale,  Jr.,  was  styled 
by  Dr.  Hodge  of  Princeton  '"The  model  scholar,  the 
model  Christian  and  tlie  model  gentleman  of  Prince- 
ton." And  he  won  his  way  to  the  hearts  of  the 
townsmen  and  peasantry  of  Syria  as  he  would  have 
done  to  the  polished  people  of  his  native  Philadel- 
phia. Be  assured  that  no  gifts,  gTaces  or  talents 
are  superfluous  on  mission  fields. 

XL  Be  careful  of  your  bodily  health.  You 
v^'ould  be  surprised  to  read  a  catalogue  of  the  mis- 
sionaries who  have  broken  doAvn  prematurely 
tlnough  want  of  care  or  ignorance  of  the  laws  of 
health.  It  has  been  said  that  "the  best  thing  for 
the  inside  of  a  man  is  the  outside  of  a  horse."  You 
must  take  proper  and  regular  exercise.  It  is  your 
duty  to  live  as  long  as  you  can.  Your  years  of  prep- 
aration, ontfit  and  initiation  into  the  field  have  been 
expensive  to  you  and  to  the  church.  Care  then  for 
your  health.  Do  not  get  into  a  rut  or  formal  rou- 
tine. Vary  your  employments.  If  you  have  a 
mechanical  bent  get  carpenter's  tools  and  use  them. 
If  you  are  fond  of  botany,  geology,  zoology  or  ento- 
mology, develop  this  heaven-implanted  taste.  I 
liave  traveled  hundreds  of  miles  on  horseback  in 
Syria,  through  dreary,  rocky  regions,  where  all 
sense  of  weariness  and  monotony  has  been  quite  le- 

137 


Counsel     to      'N  e  iv     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

iiiov(=d  by  the  excitement  of  finding  new  geologi- 
cal formations,  strange  distortions  of  the  strata, 
and  exqnisite  fossil  fish,  shells  and  silicified  wood. 
You  will  see  neAv  plants  and  flowers,  strange  birds 
and  animals,  curious  land  snails,  and  grotesque 
and  brilliant  colored  fishes,  the  study  and  collec- 
tion of  which  will  refresh  your  mind,  give  pure  and 
wholesome  reci'eation  and  help  you  in  directing  the 
apathetic  minds  of  the  people  to  habits  of  observa- 
tion and  of  admiration  of  the  wonderful  wisdom  of 
(Jod.  The  time  given  to  such  things  is  not  lost. 
It  devotes  the  spare  intervals  of  travel  and  tedious 
itiiierating  to  profitable,  inspiring  and  yet  restful 
mental  exercise.  Yet  it  goes  without  saying  that 
such  recreations  should  not  become  exacting  or  en- 
giMiss  too  much  of  one's  attention.  The  busiest 
unm  usually  have  the  most  time  for  these  forms  of 
mental  diversion.  They  act  on  system  and  have  no 
waste  hours.  Whatever  kind  of  oil  you  burn,  do 
not  ])urn  midnight  oil.  Rise  early  and  retire  early, 
XII.  As  to  personal  comforts,  avail  yourself  of 
such  as  will  relieve  your  mind  of  anxiety,  and  set 
you  free  for  higher  matters.  Many  years  ago  Dr. 
R.  Anderson  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  visited  Syria. 
He  told  the  brethren  one  day  that  goml  Christians 
in  New  England  disapproved  of  missionaries  keep- 
ing horses,  and  said  he,  ^^I  think  you  had  better 
make  your  tours  on  foot."  They  acquiesced,  and 
the  next  day  proposed  a  trip  to  a  mountain  station 
sojue  nine  miles  off.  They  all  S(^t  off  boldly  on  foot, 
but  after  clindiing  rocky  stone  ledges  and  down  diz- 
zy precipices,  the  Syrian  snn  pouring  down  upon 
their  heads,  they  sat  down  to  rest.  They  then  set 
out  again  over  evc^n  a  harder  part  of  the  road.  Dr. 
Andeison  was  about  exhausted,  and  at  length  said, 

13S 


Counsel     to     N  e  iv     M  issio  navies 

'^Brethren,  I  should  say  on  the  whole  that  for  such 
a  journey  as  this  you  would  be  justified  in  riding 
horses."  They  said,  ^'Exactly  so,  and  we  thought 
of  it  before  we  started,  and  we  shall  find  horses 
awaiting  our  whole  party  just  around  the  next 
turn  in  the  road."  The  result  was  that  the  Ameri- 
can Board  after  that  time  required  Syrian  mission- 
aries to  own  horses  and  use  them.  The  missionary 
had  to  buy  his  own  horse,  but  the  Board  supplied 
the  barley  to  feed  him. 

In  February,  1856,  just  after  my  arrival  in  Sy- 
ria, Dr.  Eli  Smith  invited  me  to  lunch  and  imme- 
diately after,  asked  me  if  I  would  like  to  take  a 
walk.  I  gladly  accepted,  and  we  set  out,  I  on  foot, 
but  he  on  horseback.  We  soon  entered  on  the  great 
sand  dunes  Ave^t  of  Beirut  and  I  went  wading  and 
struggling  througli  the  light,  deep,  drifting  sands 
about  a  mile  to  the  Pigeon  Islands  on  the  point,  and 
then  south  another  mile  through  still  deeper  sands 
to  the  sea  beach,  and  then  up  again  over  sand  hills, 
in  the  hot  sun,  and  I  reached  home  after  nearly  two 
hours,  drenched  with  perspiration  and  ready  to  give 
up,  exhausted.  As  we  neared  home  Dr.  Smith  told 
me  the  above  anecdote  of  Dr.  Anderson's  visit,  and 
said,  ^'You  see  that  walking  in  Syria  is  not  so  easy 
as  it  seems." 

I  have  known  some  men  to  come  to  Syria  deter- 
mined to  ''endure  hardness,"  by  walking  unpro- 
tected in  the  sun,  but  the  hardness  was  of  their  own 
making,  and  they  succumbed  to  it  and  died.  Such  a 
death  is  suicide,  not  martyrdom. 

XIII.  It  is  well  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  home 
churches.  Write  down  your  first  impressions  and 
send  them  to  your  own  pastor  and  church  at  home. 
After  all  their  interest,  help  and  prayers  it  is  but 

139 


Counsel     to     N  (3  iv     Missionaries 

the  part  of  simple  <j;ood  mauiiers,  not  to  say  Chris- 
tian wisdom  and  filial  gratitude,  to  keep  them  in- 
formed of  your  welfare  and  the  progress  of  your 
work.  While  you  are  studying  the  language  and 
not  yet  able  to  do  much,  you  can  write  of  what  oth- 
ers have  done,  and  what  needs  to  be  done.  Some 
one  has  said  that  every  educated  man  must  sooner 
or  later  write  a  book.  Alas  that  it  should  be  so ! 
But  if  you  do  write  a  book  wait  until  you  have 
been  at  least  eight  or  ten  years  in  the  service,  and 
then  be  sure  that  3^ou  have  something  to  say  that  is 
worth  saying. 

XIY.  Music  is  a  power  for  good  in  this  blessed 
work.  If  you  are  fond  of  vocal  or  instrumental 
music,  you  have  a  gift  which  ought  to  be  used  with 
great  effect.  If  the  people  find  it  difficult  to  learn 
our  A'\^estern  music,  then  learn  their  tunes,  and 
adapt  them  to  Christian  hymns.  I  have  suffered 
great  aesthetic  torture  in  hearing  an  unmusical 
teacher  lead  a  congregation  of  sturdy  peasants  in 
singing  ^^Ortonville."  But  having  asked  them  to 
sing  the  next  hymn  to  a  Syrian  air,  have  been  sim- 
ply delighted  to  hear  the  whole  crowd,  old  and 
young,  and  little  children,  almost  raise  the  roof, 
singing  with  the  greatest  zeal  and  accuracy,  one  of 
their  favorite  Syrian  airs.  I  heard  a  missionary 
say  in  1856  that  ^'the  stately  Arabic  could  not  be 
brought  down  to  the  level  of  a  Sunday  School 
hymn."  But  it  has  been  brought  down,  and  is  still 
pure  Arabic,  and  thousands  of  children  are  singing 
cliildren's  hymns  in  Arabic  all  over  the  land. 

XV.  As  to  Bible  study,  and  your  own  spiritual 
life — the  two  go  togetlier.  You  must  know  the 
Bible,  digest  it  and  assimilate  it.  Study  it  to  use  in 
preaching,  but  study  it  more  to  use  in. practising  in 

140 


C  o  u  n  s  e  I     to    N  e  to    M  i  s  -s'  /  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

your  own  life  and  experience.  You  will  have  to 
study  the  Scriptures  in  a  neAV  language,  and  this 
will  be  a  great  advantage.  Old  truths  will  appear 
in  new  lights;  familiar  texts  will  have  new  mean- 
ing when  rendered  in  the  idioms  of  another  tongue. 
But  this  must  he  done  systematically.  This  last 
summer,  when  teaching  theology  every  forenoon  in 
a  Lebanon  village,  half  an  hour  distant,  I  have 
risen  with  the  sun  every  morning  and  taking  a  cup 
of  coffee,  spent  two  hours  in  Bible  study  and  class 
room  preparation  before  the  family  breakfast.  And 
bow  sweet  and  refreshing  these  quiet  morning 
hours  when  one  can  commune  Avith  God  and  have 
letirement  for  Bible  reading  and  prayer  before  the 
active  duties  of  the  day  begin !  Saturate  your  mind 
and  thouglits  y\iih  the  Bible.  Commit  to  memory 
all  the  choice  gospel  texts  and  passages  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  people,  and  thus  arm  yourself  with  the 
piinoply  of  God's  truth  at  the  very  outset,  Re- 
uiember  tliat  your  office  and  Avork  Avill  not  sanctify 
you.  They  may  blind  your  eyes  and  even  hinder 
your  spiritual  groAvth  by  leading  you  to  neglect 
Bible  study  and  prayer.  Remember  the  devil.  He 
will  oladlv  assure  a^ou  that  a  missionary  is  all  risfht. 
Perhaps  he  has  stirred  up  your  admiring  friends 
and  relatives  to  flatter  you  for  your  great  piety  and 
self-devotion  in  going  abroad  and  you  fall  into  spir- 
itua]  self-satisfaction  and  sloth. 

Dr.  Post  of  the  Beirut  College  once  asked  a  stone- 
mason, if,  in  taking  a  contract  for  erecting  a  stone 
building,  he  would  agTee  to  lay  up  the  Avails  for  so 
much  a  square  yard ;  he,  the  mason,  to  furnish  la- 
bor, stone,  sand  and  lime?  He  replied:  "All  but 
the  lime.  You  must  furnish  that  or  the  full  quantity 
may  not  get  into  the  mortar."     The  Doctor  asked : 

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Counsel     to     N  e  to     Missionaries 

"A\  liY?  Are  Yoii  not  honest?"  ''Yes/-  said  he,  ^'T;ni 
honest,  but  then — Subhan  Allah,  es  Shaitan  mow- 
jood !''  ( Praise  to  God,  there  is  a  devil ! )  And  it  will 
not  do  to  iiuai>'ine  that  this  roaring-  lion  has  lost 
either  his  teeth  or  his  claws  or  liis  brains ! 

Your  success  as  missionaries  Avill  depend  on  your 
likeness  to  Christ.  A  Christlike  character  is  always 
lovable^  Heathen,  Mohanmiedans,  and  other  non- 
Christian  people  knoAv  the  difference  between  a 
Christlike  man  and  a  selfish,  haughty,  unsympathiz- 
ing  man.  If  men  love  the  messenger,  they 
will  learn  to  love  the  message.  If  a  herald  of  the 
truth  wishes  to  win  men's  minds,  let  him  first  win 
their  heai'ts.  The  logic  of  controversial  argument 
never  convinced  men  half  so  much  as  the  godly 
lives  of  Christian  believers. 

Rev.  Simeon  Howard  Calhoun,  for  thirty  years  a 
missionary  in  ]Mount  Lebanon,  Syria,  was  called 
''The  Saint  of  Lebanon.-'  He  gained  such  an  in- 
fluence over  the  Avarlike  and  haughty  Druzes  that, 
bad  he  di( d  in  Syria,  tiu^y  Avould  no  doubt  ha.A^e 
niade  his  grave  a  holy  shrine  of  pilgrimage.  In 
April,  1860,  I  Avas  in  liis  house  Avhen  the  dreadful 
Avar  of  that  massacre  sunnuer  began  betAveen 
Di'uzes  and  ^roslenis  on  the  one  side  and  Christians 
on  th(^  otlieir.  "We  had  entered  the  church  on  Sun- 
day morning,  and  I  Avas  reading  tin?  hymn,  "My 
Faith  Looks  Up  to  Thee,"  in  Arabic,  Avhen  a  Druze 
shot  a  Chi'istian  in  the  street  near  by,  and  in  a  mo^ 
leent  vwvy  ])(Mson  had  left  Uw  church.  The  mem  of 
thevillag(\  Maremites,  Greeks,  Catholics,  and  Prot- 
estants, ran  for  tlieir  lives  doAvn  oven-  the  cliffs  and 
n^ountains  six  miles  to  the  seashore,  and  then  on  to 
Peirut.  Their  Avives  ran  liome,  and  in  a  few  min- 
utes came  in  croAvds  to  Mr.  Calhoun's  house,  bring- 

142 


C  o  u  n  s  c  I      I  o     jV  (j  in     M  i  s  s  i  o  n  a  r  i  e  s 

iug  their  jewels  and  money;  these  they  tlirew  in 
bnndles  inside  the  (h^or  \yithont  marks  or  labels, 
nor  even  asking  for  i-eceipts.  Three  months  later, 
after  fifteen  thousand  ('hristians  had  been  mas- 
sacred in  Damascns,  Deir  el  Komr,  Hasbeiya,  and 
other  towns,  a  French  ai-my  came  to  Syria  and 
marched  into  Lebanon.  Then  the  Dnizes  in  turn 
were  terrified,  and  ihvy  also  came  in  croAvds  to  Mr. 
Calhoun's  house,  bringing  their  money  and  val- 
uables to  ^[I's.  Callioun. 

Last  August,  at  the  funeral  of  the  Rev.  AYilliam 
Bird,  long  the  colleague  missionary  of  Mr.  Cal- 
houn, tlie  Druze  begs  and  sheiks  came  in  large  num- 
bers to  attend  the  services  in  the  church  of  Abeih. 
At  the  close,  the  leading  Druze  beg  addressed  the 
missionaries  present,  as  follows : 

"Sirs,  ]Mr.  Calhoun  and  Mr.  Bird  were  our  broth- 
ers and  friends.  They  loved  us,  and  we  loved 
them.  On  behalf  of  the  Avhole  people  of  Lebanon, 
^^•e  entr(^at  you  to  allow  Mrs.  Bird  and  her  daughter 
Emily  to  I'euiain  here  among  us,  for  we  need  them, 
and  Abeih  would  ])e  orphaned  A^'itllout  them." 

Among  the  Druzes  was  one  haughty  warrior,  Ali 
Beg  Hamady,  who  took  a  regiment  of  rough-riders 
to  the  Crimean  V^nv  in  1854.  At  the  massacre  of 
Deir  el  Komr,  in  June,  1 800, T\dien  two  thousand  two 
hundred  unarmed  men  were  heA\n  in  pieces,  the 
bouse  of  Mr.  Bird  was  spared,  and  a  Druze  giiard 
was  placed  at  the  door.  He  had  left  two  days  be- 
fore by  order  of  the  United  States  Consul,  and  thir- 
ty Protestant  men  had  fled  there  for  refuge.  The 
next  day  the  Druze  begs  of  Abeih,  nine  miles  away, 
took  Mr.  Calhoun  and  Mr.  Bird  to  Deir  el  Komr  to 
bring   away   these  imprisoned   Protestants.      This 


143 


Counsel     to     N  c  w     M  i 


s  s  t  o  11  a  r  %  e  s 


thej  effected  by  the  lielp  of  Ali  Beg,  climbino-  over 
piles  of  dead  bodies  to  reach  the  door. 

Twenty-five  years  later,  in  1885,  I  called  on  Ali 
Beg  in  Baaklin.  He  was  a  tall,  stately  man,  with  a 
white  turban,  a  long  beard,  and  flowing  robes.  He 
received  us  with  that  beautiful  courtesy  for  which 
the  Druzes  are  so  famous,  and  asked :  ^^Do  you 
know  why  Mr.  Bird's  house  was  not  attacked  dur- 
ing tlie  massacre  of  1860?  It  was  because  of  the 
character  of  ]\lr.  Calhoun  and  Mr.  Bird  that  I  saved 
that  house." 

Years  afterward  a  Druze  called  at  my  house  in 
Beirut  one  clay  before  sunset.  He  brought  a  mes- 
sage from  Ali  Beg,  Avho  was  ill  and  wished  to  see 
me,  and  requested  me  to  bring  the  New  Te«?tament. 
I  hastened  to  the  house,  and  found  him  lying  on  a 
bed  on  the  floor,  and  bolstered  up  ^\\i\\  cushions. 
Fixing  his  piercing  eagle  eyes  on  me,  he  said :  "I 
am  a  dying  man.-  I  honored  and  loved  ]Mr.  Calhoun 
and  he  loved  the  InjU  (New  Testament).  Read  to 
me  the  passages  he  loved."  I  read  the  SAveetest  of 
the  gospel  invitations  and  promises.  He  listened 
like  one  hungering  and  thirsting.  "Read  more  and 
more.  Is  there  pardon  for  a  great,  a  mighty  sinner 
like  me?" 

I  Avas  deeply  affected,  and  asked  him  to  pray  to 
Christ  for  pardon  and  salvation.  He  repeated  the 
prayer  after-  me.  After  a  long  interview,  I  left  the 
New  Testament  with  him.  The  next  morning,  as  I 
started  to  call  on  him  again,  I  met  his  funeral  pro- 
cession in  the  street.  ]Mr.  Calhoun  lias  been  dead 
for  nearly  fifteen  years,  but  I  doubt  not  he  wel- 
comed to  glory  this  aged  man  of  Avar  and  blnnd,  ran- 
somed through  their  comuu)n  Savior,  Jesus  Christ. 
The  whole  histoiw  of  missions  is  full  of  instances 

144 


Counsel     to     N  e  tv     Missionaries 

of  the  melting  and  molding  influence  of  a  Christ- 
like life. 

In  conclusion,  live  as  you  pray.  You  may  live 
among  coarse,  half-naked  barbarians,  and  you 
shrink  from  the  thought  of  contact  with  them.  In 
1853  or  1854  I  heard  the  sainted  Dr.  Goodell  of 
Constantinople  deliver  the  charge  to  a  young  mis- 
sionary going  to  the  Gaboon  mission.  West  Africa. 
He  said :  ^'^Vhen  you  land  in  Africa  and  first  meet 
those  naked  savages  whose  filth  and  repulsive  hab- 
its fill  you  with  utter  loathing,  and  you  say  Avithin 
yourself.  Lord,  is  it  necessary  that  I  bear  even  this ; 
that  I  spend  my  life  among  such  beastly  and  im- 
bruted  creatures?  then  rememher,  that  you  every 
day  ask  the  pure  and  ineffable  Holy  Spirit  of  the 
Eternal  God  to  whom  the  thought  of  sin  is  abhor- 
rent, to  come  dov>m,  not  simply  to  visit,  but  to  abide 
in  your  sinful,  polluted  heart.  Let  this  make  you 
humble,  patient,  loving  and  contented." 


FoKM  6i8 

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